Caracas Daily Journal (Jeremy Morgan): Workers at strike-plagued steelmaker Sidor extended their latest stoppage to 72 hours in protest at the death of one of their colleagues in an accident before the strike went ahead.
The latest stoppage in the long-running pay dispute between Sidor and the steel industry union, Sutiss, was originally slated for 24 hours. It was unclear whether the decision to lengthen the strike was for this time only, or heralded a harder line from the union.
Reports from Puerto Ordaz in Bolívar state suggest that tempers are rising among the workforce at the lack of progress made in protracted talks between the two sides. Disorder has broken out on several occasions, with workers claiming that harsh policing is partly aimed at dissuading them from pursuing their claim. Sutiss has called a protest march including families of steel workers for today.
Hopes that negotiators were in sight of ending the dispute rose recently when the two sides appeared to be moving closer on hourly pay rates. Management increased its offer while Sutiss lowered its demand.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment