In the run-up to the holidays and with thousands of passengers expected in the coming days, the national government issued this decree mandatory arbitration in the conflict between Air traffic controllers and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA). The aim of the measure is to stop the battle plan announced by the ATEPSA union, which envisaged service disruptions on national and international flights.
The violent measures promoted by the ATEPSA union began on Wednesday 17th and were expected to last until Monday 29th December planned interruptions on different days and times, which affected both domestic and international flights.
The official decision and scope of the arbitration
The decision was communicated by the Ministry of Human Capital through the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security after EANA made a formal request as the union rejected the last salary offer.
“The Ministry of Human Capital, through the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, communicates that it has issued this mandatory arbitration in labor disputes between the Association of Technicians and Employees of Air Navigation Protection and Safety (ATEPSA) and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA SE) at the request of the latter in response to the rejection of the company’s offer,” the government announced in an official statement.
As described in detail, The arbitration came into force this Tuesday at 8 a.m. and will be valid for 15 days, a period during which the parties must return the situation to the state before the conflict begins..
Obligation to suspend coercive measures
As part of the resolution, the Ministry of Labor called on the union and represented workers to repeal all direct action measures and ensure that normal service provision during the term of the arbitration period.
“ATEPSA, and through it the workers it represents, are hereby ordered to suspend all direct action and to provide its services in a normal and usual manner during the validity of the conciliation period,” the official statement said.
In addition, the Labor Department called on both parties to resume dialogue within the Ministry of Labor with the aim of finding an amicable solution that takes into account the needs of the sector and ensures the normal functioning of the aviation system.
In the basic principles of the resolution, the government emphasized the need to give priority to the general interest, especially in a service considered strategic. The text signed by the Ministry of Labor states that “it is necessary to take appropriate measures to promote a peaceful and legal solution to the conflict that has arisen”.
He also added that in situations such as the current one, “special consideration must be given to the general interest as a guiding principle of the relations developed in this matter,” stressing the importance of harmonizing collective labor rights with the protection of the community as a whole, as enshrined in the national constitution.
The demands of the air traffic controllers union
ATEPSA justified this New edition of the battle plan lack of progress in salary negotiations and non-compliance with agreements signed after the conclusion of joint negotiations more than three months ago. The union claims that there are labor and salary obligations that have not been met by the company.
The main complaints include non-compliance with the collective agreement, the lack of dialogue on the part of EANA, complaints about unfounded dismissals and the deterioration of the sector’s real wages against the backdrop of accumulated inflation.
A conflict that has been going on since August
The Ministry of Labor had been aware of the conflict since Augustif mandatory arbitration had previously been issued. However, in the absence of any concrete progress in the negotiations, the union decided in December to resume strong action at a time of extreme sensitivity for air transport.
With the new arbitration underway, the government is trying to buy time, not affect flights during the holidays and channel the conflict through dialogue, while holding back any union action that could impact passengers.
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