A fresh strike from air traffic controllers in Argentina planned for July 11 was suspended after the government used a “compulsory conciliation” law in the union’s ongoing dispute over layoffs.

The Human Capital Ministry ordered the agreement between the Association of Technicians and Employees of Protection and Safety in Air Navigation (ATEPSA) and the state agencies responsible for air traffic control, both the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA SE) and the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). 

This means that the strike the unions had announced for July 11 are, for now, postponed, and that representatives of the companies and the workers now have to go back to the negotiating table.

According to the official statement published by the ministry headed by Sandra Pettovello, the decision was officially published and will be enforced at midnight on July 11, 2025, within the framework of Law 14,786, which regulates collective bargaining. The text establishes a 15-day agreement period, during which the parties involved must return the situation to its “pre-conflict” state.

Obligations established by the agreement

The measure requires ATEPSA and the workers represented by the union to suspend all direct action during the conciliation process. Consequently, they must provide services as usual and without interruption.

EANA SE is also ordered to repeal the recently ordered layoffs, at least until the agreement process is completed. These layoffs were one of the main reasons for the planned strike.

The conflict had raised concerns because the union measures affected both domestic and international commercial flights scheduled between July 11 and 30. The service disruptions posed operational challenges during the winter break.

While talks were taking place within the orbit of the Labor Ministry, the union filed a precautionary measure of non-innovation against ANAC and EANA, which is currently being processed before the National Labor Court No. 31.

In the official statement, the Government recalled that it has the obligation to ensure the continuity of essential services, while safeguarding the public interest and labor rights as it is within the framework of collective bargaining.

The decision aims to ease tensions and ensure that flights are normalized, while still enabling the institutional channel to resolve the demands of aeronautical workers.

“The National Government reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing essential services for citizens, preserving the public interest without neglecting labor rights or collective bargaining mechanisms. The parties will begin negotiations within the framework of conciliation to seek a definitive solution to the conflict,” the government said in a statement.

Originally published on Ámbito