Argentina: Transportation strikes November 26-27 /update 2

Event

Employees of Aerolíneas Argentinas (the national airline) and sister airline Austral are launching a strike on Monday, November 26, to denounce the suspension of 376 workers. The airlines have canceled all flights set to operate on Monday, including international services. Continued strike actions past Monday cannot be ruled out and residual disruptions are to be anticipated once the strike ends as operations normalize. Affected travelers can reschedule their flights free of charge or receive a refund.

Furthermore, various unions representing transportation sector workers have called for a nationwide strike to take place the following day, November 27. Workers will strike from 04:00 until 07:00 (local time); major disruptions are to be anticipated during this three-hour period, with normal services not expected to resume until at least 10:00. This strike will affect various modes of transportation, including flights, ferries, and public transit (including the Buenos Aires metro).

Context

Union leaders accuse President Mauricio Macri of reneging on campaign promises made in 2015 to limit income tax on workers in the sector. The unions have also accused the government of proposing cuts to retirement benefits, among other issues.

Advice

Individuals in or traveling to Argentina are advised to confirm travel reservations, allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and avoid any related protests.