Possibility of Strike at Santiago Airport Starting This Thursday

Eventually, no agreement was reached in the conciliation between Nuevo Pudahuel and the workers’ union, and they confirmed that the strike will begin starting this Thursday, September 12, on the eve of the XL holiday for Independence Day celebrations.

“We inform that the proposal made by the company was rejected by the unionized workers. For this reason, they will exercise their legitimate right to strike, starting at 7:00 am this Thursday, September 12,” said Nuevo Pudahuel in a public statement.

And they added that “this strike does not affect the service provided by the airlines or public service officials.”

The company also indicated that it will initiate a contingency plan amid the massive departure of passengers expected for these days.

“With the purpose of protecting the operational continuity of the Santiago Airport and mitigating potential impacts on its passengers and users, Nuevo Pudahuel will implement a contingency plan, developed based on an agreement on minimum services and emergency teams,” stated the company.

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Furthermore, they suggested that “Nuevo Pudahuel will keep the door open for dialogue with the unionized workers to reach an agreement, within the framework of the complex financial situation still affecting the company, due to the massive loss of passengers caused by the pandemic.”

This morning, Juan Prado, the president of the airport’s union, stated on TVN that “the company has minimum services consisting of 17 positions that will remain under the responsibility of Nuevo Pudahuel, covering operations and climate control.” He added that there will still be flight delays because workers will continue to hold demonstrations in the terminal.

Members of the RN and PSC parties requested the Ministry of Public Works a contingency plan for the impending shutdown at Santiago Airport, just days before the Independence Day celebrations.

“It is not appropriate that this negotiation with the workers has been left until the last minute, leaving thousands of people who will travel within and outside the country for the September 18 holiday in uncertainty. We demand that the authorities already consider a real contingency plan to ensure that this does not affect citizens and the country’s economy,” said RN deputy Jorge Durán.

Meanwhile, PSC deputy, Roberto Arroyo, indicated that “this is a date where it is projected that many people will mobilize, where gastronomic and tourism guilds in the regions also expect this celebration to boost their activity, which has been so affected lately, therefore, this mobilization can have disastrous consequences.”