Union Demands Extra Security; Airline Says Shorter Work Hours Real Motivator

Fearing a repeat incident with aggressive passengers, airline workers went on strike for a second day on Tuesday stranding about 20,000 travelers at Buenos Aires' Jorge Newbery Airport.

Check-in staff at two airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas and its subsidiary, Austral, are demanding extra security after two passengers, apparently upset about fog-related delays, attacked employees last week, according to the Associated Press. Association of Aeronautic Personnel members walked off the job Sunday in protest.

"We're at a total standstill due to the conflict with the union, and it's affecting all national flights," said a spokesman for the two airlines.

The two airlines cancelled all their flights, more than 200, from AEP; the strike is not affecting flights from Ezeiza International Airport.

Aerolineas Argentinas spokesman Jorge Molina, said the carrier was of the belief union demands for shorter working hours was the actual motivating factor for this strike.

The first day of the strike saw large crowds at the airport, but the number of people this time was noticeably less - most stayed away when cancelled flights were announced, according to the AP.

"We are trying to figure out what to do," said Jennifer Farrer, a passenger from Texas.

"Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral will fire workers that don't comply with orders to return to their work stations," threatened the airlines. Management has since agreed to talks with the union, as ordered by the Labor Ministry, according to the Buenos Aires Herald.

The carrier was formerly controlled by the state and is now controlled by a Spanish consortium, the Marsans group. Combined, the carriers serve more than 80 percent of the Argentine domestic air market.

FMI: http://gc.kls2.com/airport/AEP, www.apaeronauticos.com.ar, www.aerolineas.com.ar