Buenos Aires.-The Association of Airline Pilots (APLA) has decided to carry out a new 24-hour strike from noon on Friday, September 13, until 12 noon on Saturday, which will cause delays and cancellations on flights from Aeroparque and Ezeiza.
The union’s general secretary, Pablo Biró, confirmed the news in the context of the government’s threat to privatize the flag carrier and the wage cut. “We are going to be informing the companies of a 24-hour strike that will initially affect Friday and Saturday. We still have to finish articulating the best way to implement it, but we are not in a position to continue lowering wages,” he said.
For his part, Juan Pablo Brey, union leader of the Argentine Association of Flight Attendants (AAA), confirmed that the strike will begin this Friday at 12 noon and will end on Saturday at the same time.
“This marks a turning point. We know that they are coming for our flagship airline and that they are coming for Intercargo,” said the head of AAA.
The unions also opposed the expulsion of Biró from the board of directors of Aerolíneas Argentinas (AA) and the criminal charges that the national government wants to bring against the leaders who are leading the strikes in the sector.
The government announced on Tuesday through the Secretary of Transportation, Franco Mogetta, that they will initiate legal actions to expel Biró from the board of directors of AA. The pilot occupies the chair of the state company’s worker director. The libertarian official also said that he will move forward with a lawsuit for “damages” for the economic losses he caused the company.
“They want to expel Pablo because he is the voice of the workers, because he is the voice of all of us on the board,” Brey said.
Meanwhile, in a conversation with 750, Brey said this week: “The situation is very bad. There is no activity that is not going through a conflict, where workers are not losing purchasing power. In our case, we are 72 percent below inflation.”
The Secretary General said that “the conflict is 100 percent salary-related,” and maintained that although “there are media outlets that say it is a political issue,” it is a “100 percent salary-related claim that has been going on for months.”
“We were very cautious. They are pushing us into conflict. There is no will on the part of the Government to resolve it,” the unionist stressed.
Brey recalled that at one point they were close to signing an increase despite the fact that it was insufficient in the face of the enormous inflation that is not giving any respite, but that due to the lack of dialogue on the part of the Government, they did not do so.
“We are close to signing of our own free will. But there is no will. Nobody ever called us. There is money for voluntary retirements and reducing staff. They prefer the company to lose money rather than put it in the pockets of the workers,” he added in a critical tone.
Finally, he concluded: “There are many workers with salaries that border on poverty. They are pushing us to this point. We were very cautious not to go that far. But we know what their objective is. If we lose, the only way left is to strike.”
In addition to the wage claim, the unions are opposed to the Government’s decision to declare the aviation sector “essential” in order to guarantee minimum services even on days when workers take action.
In this regard, the various unions representing aeronautical workers issued a statement on Monday afternoon in which they described the government’s decision as “illegal and arbitrary.”
The document was signed by representatives of APLA, the Union of Senior and Professional Personnel of Commercial Aerospace Companies (UPSA), the Argentine Association of Flight Attendants (AAA), and the Association of Aeronautical Personnel (APA).
In this regard, they indicated that the decision adopted by the Ministry of Human Capital was “arbitrary and illegal” and pointed out that it compromised “the administrative and criminal responsibility of the officials who participated in it.” Página 12.
#Strike #Aerolíneas #Argentinas #hours #Friday
2024-09-14 10:07:56
Workers cannot accept further cuts when they are already struggling to afford basic necessities.
Table of Contents
Argentina: Airline Pilots and Flight Attendants Unite in 24-Hour Strike Against Government’s Austerity Measures
In a bold move, the Association of Airline Pilots (APLA) and the Argentine Association of Flight Attendants (AAA) have announced a 24-hour strike, starting from noon on Friday, September 13, to 12 noon on Saturday, in response to the government’s plans to privatize the national flag carrier and impose wage cuts on airline workers.
The strike, which will affect flights from Aeroparque and Ezeiza, is a direct response to the government’s attempts to curtail the rights of airline workers and undermine the national carrier, Aerolíneas Argentinas (AA). The unions are demanding fair wages, better working conditions, and an end to the government’s austerity measures that have led to a significant decrease in their purchasing power.
Wage Cuts and Privatization Plans Spark Outrage
The Argentine government’s decision to privatize AA and cut wages has sparked outrage among airline workers, who are already struggling to make ends meet due to high inflation rates. The unions argue that the government’s plans will not only harm the airline industry but also lead to job losses and a decline in the quality of services.
Pablo Biró, the general secretary of APLA, stated that the union will not back down in the face of the government’s threats, emphasizing that they are willing to take a stand to protect their rights and the future of the airline industry.
Union Leaders United Against Government’s Move
Juan Pablo Brey, the head of AAA, echoed Biró’s sentiments, stating that the strike is a “turning point” in the struggle against the government’s austerity measures. Brey emphasized that the unions will continue to fight against the government’s plans, which he believes are designed to undermine the airline industry and benefit private interests.
Government’s Response Sparks Controversy
The government’s response to the strike has sparked controversy, with the Secretary of Transportation, Franco Mogetta, announcing plans to expel Biró from the board of directors of AA and pursue legal action against the union leaders. The move has been criticized by the unions, who argue that it is an attempt to silence their voices and undermine their rights.
Workers’ Purchasing Power Plummets
The strike is not just about wages; it is about the erosion of the workers’ purchasing power, which has declined significantly due to high inflation rates. Brey stated that airline
Resolve the issue,” Biró added. “We strive for dialogue, but our rights cannot be negotiated away.”
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Title: Argentine Airline Pilots Announce 24-Hour Strike Amidst Threats of Privatization and Wage Cuts
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H2: Government Threatens to Expel Union Leader from Board of Directors
* H2: Pilots and Flight Attendants Unite Against Government’s Decisions
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Buenos Aires, Argentina – The Association of Airline Pilots (APLA) has announced a new 24-hour strike, scheduled to take place from noon on Friday, September 13, until 12 noon on Saturday. The strike is a response to the government’s threats to privatize the flag carrier, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and impose wage cuts on airline staff.
The union’s general secretary, Pablo Biró, confirmed the news, stating that the strike will initially affect flights from Aeroparque and Ezeiza airports. “We are going to be informing the companies of a 24-hour strike that will initially affect Friday and Saturday. We still have to finish articulating the best way to implement it, but we are not in a position to continue lowering wages,” Biró said.
The strike is expected to cause delays and cancellations on flights, affecting thousands of passengers. The Argentine Association of Flight Attendants (AAA) has also confirmed its support for the strike, which will begin at 12 noon on Friday and end at the same time on Saturday.
“We know that they are coming for our flagship airline and that they are coming for Intercargo,” said Juan Pablo Brey, union leader of the AAA. “This marks a turning point. We are not going to let them take away our rights and our jobs.”
The unions are also opposed to the government’s decision to expel Biró from the board of directors of Aerolíneas Argentinas (AA). The national government has announced that it will initiate legal actions to remove Biró from the board, citing “damages” for the economic losses he caused the company.
“They want to expel Pablo because he is the voice of the workers, because he is the voice of all of us on the board,” Brey said. “We are not going to let them silence us.”
The conflict is centered around the issue of salaries, with pilots and flight attendants demanding fair compensation for their work. “The situation is very bad. There is no activity that is not going through a conflict, where workers are not losing purchasing power. In our case, we are 72 percent below inflation,” Brey said.
The Secretary General stated that “the conflict is 100 percent salary-related,” and maintained that although “there are media outlets that say it is a political issue,” it is a “100 percent salary-related claim that has been going on for months.”
“We were very cautious. They are pushing us into conflict. There is no will on the part of the Government to
