Maintenance staff threaten World Cup strike

Maintenance workers with LATAM Airlines, the merged Brazilian and Chilean flag carriers, have threatened to delay or cancel flights throughout South America during the World Cup, which kicks off next Thursday.

Staff handed out leaflets to passengers to warn them of disruptions.

The airline was formed by a merger of Chile’s LAN and Brazil’s TAM in 2012. It operates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru.

Maintenance workers from LAN Peru have threatened strike action over demands for better pay, after negotiations with the airline broke down last week.

A union leader in Lima said up to 300 technicians would go on strike in Peru, which would “paralyse” the country’s network.