Aerolíneas Argentinas Takes Legal Steps to Remove Union Leader, Files Complaints Against Unions

State-owned Aerolíneas Argentinas will initiate an internal process to expel Pablo Biró, head of APLA (Argentina’s main pilots union), from the company’s Board of Directors, and will file complaints against the pilots’ and cabin crew unions for the recent industrial actions they have carried out.

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In a statement released today, the company noted that «the recent industrial actions carried out by the APLA (pilots) and AAA (cabin crew) unions, originally labeled as ‘informative assemblies’ to disguise their abusive and illegal nature, have already caused Aerolíneas Argentinas losses of more than 2 million dollars.»

“As a result, the company will proceed with a lawsuit against the unions involved for the damages caused, primarily for the lost profits of the operation and the claims from affected passengers. The main representatives of these unions, Pablo Biró for APLA and Juan Pablo Brey for AAA, will also be reported as responsible for these actions,” the document adds.

It further points out that “in the case of Biró, there is an additional responsibility due to his position on the Board of Directors of Aerolíneas Argentinas. That is, due to his public statements and direct actions against the interests of the company, Biró acted disloyally against the company itself and is ‘unlimitedly and jointly liable for any damages resulting from his actions or omissions,’ according to Article 59 of the General Companies Law.”

“For this reason, at the request of the Secretary of Transportation, the company’s main shareholder, the necessary steps will be taken to begin the process of expelling him from the Board,” it states.

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All of this happens as the Argentina government promotes an unprecedented deregulation of the airline industry, which eventually would lead to the privatization of Aerolíneas Argentinas.

See also: Privatization of Aerolíneas Argentinas back on the table with new bill

Deductions

The statement also adds that “more than 400 deductions have already been applied to pilots, co-pilots, and crew members for failing to perform their duties and disrupting the company’s flight schedules. These deductions average 150,000 pesos per day for pilots and 50,000 pesos per day for crew members.”

The document concludes by affirming that “Aerolíneas Argentinas will make every effort to avoid further disruptions to our passengers’ travel itineraries, and we will continue to denounce any type of union action that is deliberately designed to harm them.”