The decision to postpone the strike was made by the SUPARA Board of Directors after receiving notification of a unilateral salary increase ordered by the Executive Director of ARCA. The increase includes a 6.46% adjustment to salaries as of February 29, 2024, effective from April 1, and an additional 1.30% raise starting in May 2025. These improvements apply to both permanent and fixed-term contract staff.

In addition to the salary increase, the union highlighted other achievements resulting from recent labor actions. These include an increase in the internal distribution percentage of the Hierarchization Fund—from 0.78% to 0.82%—an update to the leadership bonus starting in April 2025, and an adjustment to the fee schedule for extraordinary services in line with the new salary increases.

SUPARA clarified that the suspension of strike actions is temporary and that it will continue to monitor the real impact of these changes on customs workers’ salaries. In a statement, they noted that the achievements do not fully meet their demands but acknowledged them as significant progress in the current negotiation context.

“SUPARA has never been responsible for the delays and conflicts alleged by the official sector, as we have always shown a willingness to engage in dialogue,” the union stated. The union leadership emphasized that the partial success achieved is due to the unity, commitment, and active participation of customs workers in recent labor actions.

A Prolonged Conflict

The possibility of a national strike was announced by the union on April 11 in response to the lack of progress in salary adjustments and the growing deterioration of customs agents’ purchasing power. At that time, SUPARA denounced the “indifferent and intransigent” stance of the agency’s authorities, warning of the potential negative impact of strike actions on Argentina’s foreign trade.

Although the strike measures were postponed, SUPARA reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for free collective bargaining and the comprehensive defense of the collective labor agreement. “We know the achievements are insufficient, but we will continue working, appealing to dialogue with the authorities and maintaining the unity of all customs workers,” the Board of Directors concluded.

With this step, the conflict in Argentine customs enters a phase of tense anticipation: while workers assess the real scope of the salary improvements, the union keeps further strike actions on hold, awaiting responses to the remaining demands.