Updated Saturday 12.20 p.m.

The government intervened on Friday night to halt the air safety workers’ strike that was set to begin this weekend, ensuring that domestic and international flights will operate normally. 

The labor secretary canceled the protest through a judicial instrument known as a mandatory conciliation, which means that the Association of Aeronautical Protection and Safety Technicians and Employees (ATEPSA, for its Spanish initials) must call off protests and continue salary negotiations with the state organism that regulates their sector, the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA). 

EANA published a statement saying that “all protests announced by ATEPSA have been called off due to a mandatory conciliation.”

ATEPSA had announced strikes starting this weekend that would affect domestic and international flights in Argentina. Beginning on May 24, the strikes would be held intermittently throughout the week before concluding on May 31. 

The protests, which entailed partial interruptions of essential services like takeoff clearance and flight plan transmission, were expected to cause flight delays and cancellations. 

ATEPSA said it was striking amid a months-long wage dispute with EANA.

“These measures are the result of an unacceptable salary proposal from the company [EANA], which offered a 0% increase and intends to close the 2024/25 salary increase period, even though we have gone more than eight months without salary increases,” they said in a press release.

“We also denounce the illegal dismissals of air traffic controllers, technicians, and SAR operators; the depletion of key areas; the possible closure of the vocational training center; and the complete lack of response from the sector’s authorities.”

“At ATEPSA, we continue to navigate all institutional channels and raise awareness of this situation in the media and with legislators. The closure of the vocational training center, and the complete lack of response from the sector’s authorities.”

“At ATEPSA, we continue to navigate all institutional channels and raise awareness of this situation in the media and with legislators.”