On Friday, September 13, passengers at the Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires were surprised by a strong message from the Government on the airport screens. Under the slogan “Enough of privileges”, the Ministry of Transport launched a series of plaques that sought to hold the aeronautical unions responsible for the strikes that have affected thousands of people in recent days.
The conflict between the Government The tension between the aeronautical unions, especially the pilots of Aerolíneas Argentinas, has escalated in recent weeks. The strikes and strikes have led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, affecting thousands of passengers and creating chaos in air transport.
In response, the government, headed by President Javier Milei, decided to intensify its offensive against unions, using the Aeroparque screens as a direct communication tool with travelers.
Two main messages appeared on the airport screens. The first one, in a direct tone, said: “Enough of privileges. The aeronautical unions prevent you from flying while they demand seats in business class. Ministry of Transport. Ministry of Economy. If they are forcing you to stop, report it to 134.”
This message targeted one of the benefits most questioned by the current administration: free business class tickets for pilots and their families. The second message was even more explicit in detailing the reasons behind the strikes: “Aeronautical unions are on strike because they want to keep their privileges: free business class tickets, bonuses in dollars, they only travel with drivers.”
Both messages reflect the approach of the Government in their attempt to limit benefits that they consider “immoral” and that, they maintain, cannot continue to be sustained by the public treasury in a context of fiscal adjustment and economic crisis.
Offer
The offensive of the Government The fight against the aeronautical unions is not limited to the media battle. On several occasions, the presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, and the Secretary of Transportation, Franco Mogetta, have put the focus on the working conditions and benefits enjoyed by the pilots of Aerolíneas Argentinas.
During a recent press conference, Adorni said: “Ten of the 18 business class seats were reserved for pilots and their families on the inaugural flight to Punta Cana, who traveled free of charge, supported by all taxpayers.”
