Strategic collective bargaining in the airline sector

The Challenge

The 2026 salary and contract review between Aeroméxico and ASSA took place in a highly sensitive labor and operational environment.

The strike deadline was set for June 1, 2026, and the negotiations involved a workforce of over 3,000 flight attendants affiliated with ASSA. The challenge was to reach a solution that addressed the salary and contract review without compromising the continuity of air service.

The Strategic Approach

Our partners Ricardo Martínez and Héctor de la Cruz, along with our associates Carla Martínez Santistevan and Claudio Martínez Santistevan, served as advisors throughout the collective bargaining process.

The strategy focused on conducting a technically structured negotiation, incorporating an assessment of the union landscape, an evaluation of operational impact, and an analysis of the economic and contractual conditions required to build a viable solution.

The approach combined legal expertise, collective bargaining, and an understanding of the operational impact of a potential work stoppage.

The Outcome

Aeroméxico and ASSA reached a salary and contractual agreement that averted the strike scheduled for June 1, 2026.

The agreement included a general salary increase of 4.16%, adjustments of 4% in per diems for certain destinations, a biannual review for 2027 equivalent to inflation plus 0.5%, and the possibility of renegotiating the percentage if inflation reaches or exceeds 6%. It also included contractual improvements, such as a two-year extension of the retirement clause for Contract A and the creation of a new five-year seniority tier for Contract B flight attendants.

This case highlights the importance of well-prepared collective bargaining in sectors where labor stability and operational continuity are critical factors.

Through our Collective Bargainingpractice, DM Abogados provides support for complex union processes, contract reviews, strike notices, and labor dispute resolution strategies.

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