The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the operation of essential services and promoting social dialogue as a tool for resolving labor conflicts. Air transport activity was set to be affected this afternoon nationwide, as the Association of Technicians and Employees for Aircraft Protection and Navigation Safety (ATEPSA) had scheduled staggered strikes that would impact departures from all airports. Today's strike action was taken as a result of failed negotiations with the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA) and the expiration of the mandatory conciliation previously ordered by the Ministry of Labor. It was designed under a specific time-slot modality to maximize the impact on airline schedules while maintaining the status of a 'legitimate union action'. ATEPSA claims a breach of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a wage increase that the union deems insufficient. Buenos Aires, February 26 (NA) - Air traffic controllers have lifted the strike action planned for today, so air transport activity in the country will be normal, according to official sources reported to the Argentine News Agency. 'The Ministry of Human Capital, through the Secretariat of Labor, Employment and Social Security, reported that the strike measures taken in the framework of the conflict between the Association of Technicians and Employees for Aircraft Protection and Navigation Safety (ATEPSA) and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA) have been lifted, guaranteeing the normal provision of air navigation services throughout the national territory,' states the communiqué released this afternoon. It adds that, 'the decision was formally communicated by the union entity's legal counsel, who informed of the suspension of the scheduled union action for February 26 and 27, 2026, with the aim of facilitating dialogue and advancing conversations aimed at reaching an agreement'. And it states that, 'in this sense, the Secretariat of Labor continues to promote dialogue instances between the parties, with the objective of fostering a consensual solution that guarantees the continuity and safety of the aeronautical service. Although an increase of 15% in four tranches was agreed upon last August, the acceleration of inflation and the stagnation of negotiations in November and December reignited the conflict. A critical point in the negotiation is that as EANA is a state-owned company, the wage policy does not depend solely on its administration, but also on the guidelines of the National Public Employment Office'.
