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Government of Costa Rica breaks off negotiations

Published: 26 January 2010
Google translate: 

After the Arias government finally broke off dialogue with the union leadership SINTRAJAP, things became clear; bribery and blackmail were not accepted and the war against state corruption in was declared.



After several hours Vice Minister of the Presidency, Robert Thompson and Minister of Labor, Alvaro Gonzalez, did not budge and withdrew from the negotiating table that the union leadership held open for six days and nights.



The disagreement point is very simple, Oscar Arias wants to privatize the ports of Limon and Moin at all costs but he cannot do this constitutionally. The only "door" through which they can "pass" it is through an addendum to the collective labor agreement of SINTRAJAP, which has the status of Law.



As SINTRAJAP honest union leadership does not agree with privatization, they tried to bribe them with $ 800 thousand dollars. As that did not work they set up a meeting of workers and rogues and tried to make them being the new union board. Bribing the “new board” would have opened the "door" to privatization.



The Arias government also pretended to stay one more week in the building in order to stop mobilization and preparation of the fight that will develop from now on. Limon just started defending the ports and the whole of Costa Rica is going to join them in the streets. This battle has just begun.



See also the videos about the Press Conference: http://www.anep.or.cr/index.php and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKpub1byQNs



The trade union unity of CSJMP, CNTR, CUSIMA as well as CSTD, CMTC, CGT, CSJM, ANEP and SINTRAJAP, FETRAL, SEC, APSE, ANDE and SITET, start a new era of Costa Rican trade union unity.



The Costa Rican trade union movement welcomes the international solidarity. Messages received so far (attached):

  • International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC
  • Central American Confederation of Workers - CCT
  • UNI Post & Logistics global union
  • Panama Canal Workers Union - SINTRACP
  • Union of Airline Workers of Panama - SIELAS
  • UNI americas global union




José Luis Castillo, SINTRAJAP leader


Trade union negotiators






Roberto Thompson

Vice Minister of the Presidency



Source