Labor Minister Threatens To Abandon Strike Talks
Talks between the striking workers and the consortium Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC) continued today with the mediation of Labor Minister Alma Cortez in an attempt to resolve the strike, which started on Monday, 16 January 2012. The Trade Union of Construction Workers and Similar (SUNTRACS), which supports the striking workers, called for a raise to $9.00 per hour for skilled workers and $5.40 per hour for assistants. This Saturday they lowered their proposal to $8.00 per hour for skilled workers and $5.23 for assistants. The government proposed an increase of 12.5% for skilled workers and 15% for assistants. Their initial proposal was for a 5% increase. But things have gotten complicated. Labor Minister Cortez warned that if an agreement is not reached today, the government will withdraw from the negotiating table. "Right now we're at an impasse, the workers brought their indications, the instructions from their members, and they have remained at that point," she said. Cortes said she asked them not to do that, because they have come a long way. At approximately 12:42 they called for a half hour break. This Sunday (tomorrow) Cortés goes on a trip to Washington and President Ricardo Martinelli departs on Monday for Davos, Switzerland. (Estrella)
Editor's Comment: I don't care what the Labor Minister had planned in Washington DC for next week, but no matter what it is, the strike that has effectively shut down the project to expand the Panama Canal is the most important thing she could possibly be doing with her time. Her handling of this strike will mark the administration, either for the good or the bad. If she hops on a plane to attend some gaggle in DC - without having first resolved this strike - then that's a massive "phale" on her scorecard. Think about it. Panama. Panama Canal. Panama Canal Expansion Project. $5.25 billion (with a "B") dollars. And she wants to go screw around in DC? What could be more important? Explain it to me. Is the United Nations having a regional symposium on the impact of the development of cellulite in the butt cheeks of office workers who spend too much time at a computer desk or something? Yeah, I'm sure her attendance there is critical. The workers have just said they would remain on strike and wait for her to get back. Great. Good call. (Fucking unbelievable...)
