Advertisement


Download Latest Daily News

Banner

Advertisement - Compact

Banner

Santiago Events Calendar



Latest Videos



PUBLIC WORK STRIKE CRIPPLES CHILE
Written by Amanda Woodruff   
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 23:04

Negotiations Between Government And Workers Falls Through

After four hours of tough discussion, the National Organization of Public Workers (ANEF) left the negotiating table Tuesday without reaching a deal, thus assuring that a nationwide strike of public sector workers will continue.

Workers rejected the government's offer to increase pay by 3.5 percent and distribute a series of bonuses. They said it was less than half the workers' original demand of 8 percent pay raise.

Government representatives said the negotiation fell through due to a "lack of of any will to voluntarily dialogue."

"As of now, there is no chance of continuing this discussion," said Arturo Martínez, president of the Unified Central Workers federation (CUT). Chile’s largest labor organization.

Protests stemming from the massive ANEF strike rippled throughout the country Monday and Tuesday, with workers from several sectors, including health and public works, joining thousands-strong demonstrations.

The absence of thousands of public workers responsible for everything from clearing trash on streets to providing health services has sharply hindered the country's service sector. And, of course, Chile’s public school teachers continue with their three-week-long strike. 

About 1,200 employees associated with the National Federation of Physicians joined the ANEF strike Tuesday, which resulted in up to 12-hour waits for patients in the public health sector.

Since Tuesday, public health providers have only attended emergency patients. The organization's leadership said Santiago hospitals in seven of its poorest barrios will be on strike until a deal can be reached.

"We are going to ask citizens for their understanding," said labor leader Alejandro Santander. "Many of our clients are also public workers and they understand this decision, that it's painful, that it troubles us. But it is necessary if we are to make the authorities understand the need for prompt negotiations."

More than 20,000 public workers marched in Valparaiso (Region V) Tuesday to demand the salary increase from Congressional representatives.

Forty-seven people were arrested by police after they broke the fence outside of Congress in an effort to break in. The protest was organized by the worker mobilization group Andha Chile.  The group marched along busy highway Route 68 that runs through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.

Arrested at the protest was Andha Chile president Juana Silva, who with other protesters was charged for disorderly conduct on a public highway.

Valparaiso's streets are now littered with garbage and delays are occurring at Chile’s border entry points with Argentina, as immigration officials participate in the strike.

SOURCE: COOPERATIVA
By Amanda Woodruff ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 
Comments (1)
1 Friday, 13 November 2009 16:35
Carlos Ahumada
These people are destroying Chile and the potential for Chile to become finally a "First World" country. They do not understand that they are only hurting the low income people, their own....who goes to public "consultorios"?; who goes to public school? Who is going to get hurt by the teacher's strikes, but the seniors that will not be able to score high enough in the University admit test? Do you think that members of Congress or President Bachelet send their children to public schools? Dream on!
Remember Reagan and the traffic controllers?
Democracy should not be abused.

Add your comment

Your name:
Your email:
Comment: