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
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