Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 22, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 22, 2018 Quote Strike talks stall street action forecast Posted on April 21, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 167 After a quiet four days while negotiations were underway with the construction employers’ association (CAPAC), members of the workers’ union (SUNTRACS), returned to the streets on Saturday, April 21 and more action is promised. With no agreement on wages in sight, the Union announced, that the strike of the workers will continue and detailed a series of actions that will start from Monday. “The firm and dignified strike of the construction workers will continue said Union leader Saul Méndez, adding: “They will not accept the “alms” that the businessmen grouped in Capac have offered them.” He said that on Monday, April 23 they will distribute flyers to publicize their approaches to the negotiations and on Tuesday 24 They will carry out demonstrations in various parts of the country. On April 30 the general assembly of the Suntracs has been summoned, in the Parque Porras where a report, on the negotiations with the businessmen to that date will be delivered.(90,000 workers have been on strike since Wednesday, April 18, shutting down 260 construction sites including, Terminal 2 at Tocumen International Airport, and Metro Line 2, both on intended fast track in anticipation of scores of thousands of visitors for World Youth Day and the visit of Pope Francis in January next year). Méndez’s statements came at the end of a national council of Suntracs leader sat the University of Panama. From there a group of workers went marched to the hotel where the negotiations with the Capac are taking place. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/strike-talks-stall-street-action-forecast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 22, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 22, 2018 Quote Panamanian construction workers are criticized for exaggerated salary aspirations Thu, 04/19/2018 - 20:50 The National Council of Private Enterprise of Panama (CoNEP) today criticized the powerful National Union of Construction and Similar Industries (Suntracs) for intending to achieve "by force" "exaggerated" salary aspirations with the general strike started this Wednesday throughout the country. In a statement announcing its position, the important business union said that the construction union and its "exaggerated salary aspirations" that it intends to "get by force" affect the general citizens "manipulating information about alleged excessive profits of businesspeople". It stressed that it will be "very difficult" for any economic sector to meet and face the impacts of the salary adjustment raised by the Suntracs. "Any increase outside the economic realities of the sector will lead to an increase in the price of houses to the point that many Panamanians will not be able to purchase houses, as they are inaccessible for a large part of the population due to the disproportionate increase in the cost of labor", as well as the "loss of jobs and closure of companies," said CoNEP. The business union also highlighted the importance of maintaining social peace and due order that allows the normal development of the activities of all Panamanians. For this reason, it rejected "categorically" the pressure measures developed by the Suntracs in recent days, such as the suspension of important works and shutting down avenues that threaten free circulation and disfavor national and foreign investment. All this, it highlighted, results in "a bad image for the country and makes it difficult to get out of the process of economic slowdown that we are having." "A sector with a high social impact such as the construction industry, currently with more than 180,000 workers, deserves to maintain a business climate that guarantees its competitiveness and sustainability," the business people said. The Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the Suntracs are negotiating a new collective agreement, which will be in force from 2018 to 2022. Although the parties have managed to agree on most of the clauses, the negotiations have stalled on the salary adjustment. The construction employers have proposed a wage increase of 0.5 percent over the next four years, equivalent to 2 percent in 2022, while the union claims that the total adjustment is 60 percent is of 15 percent each year. In the absence of agreement, the Suntracs called an indefinite strike from 07:00 in the morning (12:00 GMT) on Wednesday, which has been followed by about 140,000 workers and has been noticed in 95 percent of the construction projects existing in the country, said the general secretary of the union, Saúl Méndez. http://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panamanian-construction-workers-are-criticized-exaggerated-salary-aspirations-6684 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 23, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 23, 2018 Quote Union of construction workers of Panama announces demonstrations amidst the strike Sun, 04/22/2018 - 19:51 The powerful National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (Suntracs) of Panama, who are on strike since last Wednesday in a call for a salary increase of 60 percent, announced today mobilizations during the next week throughout the country. The secretary general of Suntracs, Saúl Méndez, said on Saturday that union members will hand out flyers throughout the country on Monday, while on Tuesday they will be mobilized "in different arterial roads." Méndez added that a general assembly of Suntracs has been called for next April 30 in a central park of the capital, where they will explain to the workers the situation of the negotiations that are maintained with the employers' association Capac. The Suntracs declared the general strike last Wednesday, while maintaining negotiations, initiated months ago, with the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) for a new collective agreement in the next four years. Unemployment affects 95 percent of construction works in the country, according to the union, which has more than 90,000 members according to their data. The parties have already reached consensus on 146 out of the 155 clauses, with the economic clauses remaining pending, including the salary adjustment. Originally, Suntracs submitted a proposal for a salary increase of 60 percent, payable in stages over four years, while Capac offered just 2 percent. The Labor Ministry, which acts as an intermediary in the negotiations, reported on Wednesday that on that day the parties presented new salary proposals at the negotiation table "with the objective of analyzing them", without giving further details. The leaders of both unions have recognized that their original proposals represent irrational "extremes," and have been willing to negotiate a more realistic percentage. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said on Friday he hoped the strike could be lifted next week. "We hope that the parties will come closer and that a conclusion can be reached very soon so as not to affect the economy of the country and especially the employment of more than 80,000 construction workers who depend on their salary," said the president. http://www.panamatoday.com/economy/union-construction-workers-panama-announces-demonstrations-amidst-strike-6701 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun, 04/22/2018 - 19:51 The powerful National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (Suntracs) of Panama, who are on strike since last Wednesday in a call for a salary increase of 60 percent, announced today mobilizations during the next week throughout the country. The secretary general of Suntracs, Saúl Méndez, said on Saturday that union members will hand out flyers throughout the country on Monday, while on Tuesday they will be mobilized "in different arterial roads." Méndez added that a general assembly of Suntracs has been called for next April 30 in a central park of the capital, where they will explain to the workers the situation of the negotiations that are maintained with the employers' association Capac. The Suntracs declared the general strike last Wednesday, while maintaining negotiations, initiated months ago, with the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) for a new collective agreement in the next four years. Unemployment affects 95 percent of construction works in the country, according to the union, which has more than 90,000 members according to their data. The parties have already reached consensus on 146 out of the 155 clauses, with the economic clauses remaining pending, including the salary adjustment. Originally, Suntracs submitted a proposal for a salary increase of 60 percent, payable in stages over four years, while Capac offered just 2 percent. The Labor Ministry, which acts as an intermediary in the negotiations, reported on Wednesday that on that day the parties presented new salary proposals at the negotiation table "with the objective of analyzing them", without giving further details. The leaders of both unions have recognized that their original proposals represent irrational "extremes," and have been willing to negotiate a more realistic percentage. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said on Friday he hoped the strike could be lifted next week. "We hope that the parties will come closer and that a conclusion can be reached very soon so as not to affect the economy of the country and especially the employment of more than 80,000 construction workers who depend on their salary," said the president.
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 23, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 23, 2018 Quote Employer’s association requests salary adjustment according to the economic reality of Panama Mon, 04/23/2018 - 08:13 The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) said today that the salary adjustment agreed in the construction sector must be in line with the economic reality of the country, which registers a slowdown that is reflected in the increase in unemployment. "We are living the effect of an economic downturn, so expecting an excessive increase in wages, plus the corresponding benefits of the industry, would only bring a greater impact on this process and an untimely increase in the final price of housing," said the CCIAP in a public statement. The Center for Economic Studies of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CEECAM) said this week that for this 2018 it is estimated that the country's economy will grow by 5.4 percent and unemployment will reach 6.3 percent. "The Panamanian economy continues to grow below the optimum level of 6.5 percent" of the annual gross domestic product (GDP), CEECAM added. The Chamber also urged on Sunday the largest construction trade union, Suntracs, and the employer's association, Capac "to keep the negotiating table" of the new collective contract "as up to now, under the concepts of dialogue and without affecting the development of the country's life and the rights of third parties." The Suntracs went on strike since last Wednesday while negotiating with the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) the new collective contract for four years, for which it has requested a 60 percent global increase, while businesspeople have proposed 2 percent increase. Both the representatives of Suntracs, which announced on Saturday to stage demonstrations for next week throughout the country, and the Capac, have acknowledged that their original proposals represent irrational "extremes", and have been willing to negotiate a more realistic percentage. So far the strike has been normal, with its union members attending the works and staying in them without taking to the streets, which is the fear felt by the population that has already suffered from the main streets shut downs in the Panamanian capital. The strike affects 95 percent of construction works in the country, according to the union, which has more than 90,000 members according to their data. The parties have already reached consensus on 146 out of the 155 clauses, with the economic clauses remaining pending, including the salary adjustment. The Labor Ministry, which acts as an intermediary in the negotiations, reported on Wednesday that on that day the parties presented new salary proposals at the negotiation table "with the objective of analyzing them", without giving further details. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said on Friday he hoped the strike could be lifted next week. http://www.panamatoday.com/economy/employers-association-requests-salary-adjustment-according-economic-reality-panama-6702 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 24, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2018 Quote Construction Paralyzed in Panama Unions and business leaders are still in negotiations to end the strike that has been going on since last Wednesday, affecting all construction projects in the country, including the expansion of Tocumen and Metro Line 2. Friday, April 20, 2018 The work stoppage has affected almost 100% of the works under construction in the country, from private projects to other state run projects, such as the expansion of the Panama City airport and expansion of the Metro. The main reason why the negotiations over an collective agreement have not made progress is the setting of a salary increase, since in the other points an agreement has been reached, specifically, in "... 145 of the 155 clauses of the document that will govern for the next four years."Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...The Capac presented on Wednesday night a new proposal to try to end the strike in the construction sector promoted by the Suntracs, of 2.5% for the next four years. Meanwhile, Suntracs, which initially requested a salary adjustment of 60% paid at a rate of 15% per annum over the next four years, lowered its proposal last night to 52% at a rate of 13% per year.""... Given the measure of pressure being implemented by Suntracs, leaders of various business associations have called on the union to stop asking for such a high figure, as they believe that this will lead to an increase in the cost of housing, which will affect the General population." https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Construction_Paralyzed_in_Panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 24, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2018 Quote $33 monthly pay increase labeled “alms” Posted on April 23, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 168 As the Construction workers’ strike called by the Suntracs Union entered its fifth day the employers’ Association (Capac) describes the gap between the two bodies as “distant” Negotiations resumed on Monday, April 23 and Héctor Ortega, president of the Capac, said it still stands by its proposal of a $33 a month increase to $1,073 for qualified workers. Suntracs describes the offer as “alms”. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/33-monthly-pay-increase-labeled-alms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 24, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 24, 2018 Quote Feuding construction parties urged to keep talking Posted on April 23, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 146 Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Cciap),has urged the Construction employers’ Guild (Capac) and the Construction Workers Union (Suntracs), to keep the dialogue table open regardless of the final result In its weekly bulletin issued on Sunday April 22 the Chamber said that the declaration of a strike is not the ideal of a process of negotiation, but recognizes that it is a guarantee that provided by the Constitution. They also called for weighing the highest interests where the priority must be the preservation of jobs, such as the generation of many more to respond to the existing unemployment in Panama. They stressed that national economic growth is currently due to the advancement of activities related to transport, logistics and communication, while others are decreasing, including construction The CCIAP recognizes the right of unionized workers to negotiate the collective agreement within the applicable legal framework and remembers that “the exercise of the right resulted in four years where construction workers achieved significant wage increases and unique benefits.” This occurred within the framework of a very different economic context and currently, Panama lives under the effect of an economy in deceleration, and an excessive increase in wages, plus corresponding benefits would only bring with it a greater impact to this process and an untimely increase to the final price of housing. “It is important to understand that what is achieved in this negotiation will have repercussions in most sectors of the economy and population. We trust that the negotiations will be carried out with the will of the parties in order to pave the way for the achievement of a reasonable solution “, said the statement. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/feuding-construction-parties-urged-to-keep-talking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 25, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 25, 2018 Quote Construction workers return to streets Posted on April 24, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 231 After a week with little visible sign of a strike that has paralyzed 260 building projects, construction workers returned to the streets of Panama City on Tuesday, April 24. Members of the 90.000 strong Suntracs union closed two of the four lanes of the Via Centenario, in front of the Ciudad Salud, on Tuesday, April 24. The workers, who have been on strike since April 18, began to march towards the city with banners and flags which caused major traffic congestion mainly affecting are the drivers heading to the city from Panama West. Meanwhile, in various parts of the capital, workers handed out flyers, explaining their position in wage negotiations with the construction employers’ association (Capac). Negotiators are huddled in a Panama hotel continuing talks that started over six months ago to hammer out an agreement covering the next four years. Employers claim that the industry is retracting after a boom period, while the union claims the latest wage offer is a pittance. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/construction-workers-return-to-streets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 25, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 25, 2018 Quote Multi Million Dollar Losses Due to Construction Strike One week after works on construction projects in Panama were halted, the losses caused from each day of strike have been estimated at $30 million. Tuesday, April 24, 2018 "... The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), one of the most important business associations in the country, said today that Panama is losing close to 30 million dollars every day of the construction worker's strike, which started last Wednesday over complaints about a salary increase."Business leaders at the APEDE explained that the strike is not only impacting construction activities, but also has an effect on the financial performance of the companies related to the construction industry. See: "Construction paralyzed in Panama"Héctor Cotes, president of the APEDE, told Critica.com.pa that "... 'financial commitments are unavoidable and banks must be paid the same at the end of the month. This is an impact that has cascaded and what we urging both parties to do is sit down to negotiate and put the best interests of the country first," he added.At the close of this edition, the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC) and the Union of Construction Workers and Similar (Suntracs), had not yet reached a consensus on the salary increase, although this morning the business union presented a new proposal to establish in the new Collective Agreement a 5% adjustment. https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Multi_Million_Dollar_Losses_Due_to_Construction_Strike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 27, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 27, 2018 Quote Stalled strike talks cost $30 million daily Posted on April 26, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 154 The impasse in negotiations between the striking construction workers’ union (Suntracs) and the employers’ Association (Capac) is- according to the business sector- costing the Panama economy $30 million a day as the stoppage of work on some 260 private and public projects heads towards a 10th day with little sign of progress in talks between the two sides. Between 90,000 t and 140,000 construction workers have downed tools and.according to data from the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac), before the strike the workers were receiving approximately $3.2 million a day in wages. On Wednesday, April 25 union members received their first strike pay from the fund created in 1996 and fed by a 1% deduction from each worker’s monthly pay packet. They will receive $50 a week while the strike continues. The money is being distributed manually because of what Suntracs General Secretary SaulMendez calls the “pettiness” of the employers who will not allow the distribution through the usual direct deposit platform. apac recommended that member companies do not access the platform and that the union proceeded to make the payments it had scheduled for the workers, “in accordance with the means and facilities it has.”. Meanwhile, the debate at the negotiating table between Suntracs and Capac about the collective agreement that will be in force between 2018 and 2021 has remained unchanged for two days. Workers seek an annual increase of 11%, while employers have left on the proposal of 1% . http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/stalled-strike-talks-cost-30-million-daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 27, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 27, 2018 Quote Panama Tourism warns that workers strike will delay megaprojects of 2019 Wed, 04/25/2018 - 14:20 The Amador Convention Center and Line 2 of the Metro in the Panamanian capital (under construction) could delay the completion of projects, if the workers strike staged to demand a salary increase is extended, the administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama, Gustavo Him told Acan-Efe today. The National Union of Construction Workers and Similar Industries (Suntracs) has suspended since last Wednesday, most of the projects in the country, while engaging in negotiations, initiated months ago, with the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) for a new collective agreement in the next 4 years. "We are concerned about the interruption of the work on private buildings and government, such as the new Amador Convention Center (CCA) which is expected to be delivered by the end of 2018, to start operations in 2019," the minister said. "To this day we have a five-day delay and there is an expectation that the workers strike can be extended up to 15 days, the Government is being a facilitator in respecting the requests of the Suntracs, but there must be an intermediate point between the employers and the workers," said Him. He said that when the regular flow begins in the projects it will not be possible to recover the time and that even its completion dates will be in a longer time, which he regards as negative. The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), one of the most important business associations in the country, said Monday that Panama loses close to 30 million dollars for each strike day staged by Suntracs, which has more than 90,000 members, according to data from the union. "If the Convention Center was not going to be completed in October it may be postponed until November, as in the case of Line 2 of the Metro. We hope that the strike will be shortened in order to have these works running for the World Youth Day (WYD) which will be held in January," said the politician. Panama hopes that the great Catholic event in 2019 will be attended by more than 500,000 visitors, including pilgrims, religious, journalists, government representatives and heads of state. And it is expected that the event will generate profits of more than 500 or 600 million dollars Him also said that next year the country will host major events such as the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Foundation of the City of Panama. For these two events, the Tourism Minister said that for WYD, hotels have 100 percent occupancy, and that rates have tripled for that date, a positive trend for that industry. Meanwhile, Him called for not to generate a negative image of the country, which depends on the strategic commitment of the infrastructure it develops to compete at a tourist level in the region. Tourism represents around 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Panama, one of the most dynamic countries in the region, which in 2017 experienced an economic growth of 5.4 percent. http://www.panamatoday.com/economy/panama-tourism-warns-workers-strike-will-delay-megaprojects-2019-6722 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 I haven't seen any workers at the new Panamonte bridge construction in several days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BD Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 3 hours ago, Moderator_02 said: Panama Tourism warns that workers strike will delay megaprojects of 2019 http://www.panamatoday.com/economy/panama-tourism-warns-workers-strike-will-delay-megaprojects-2019-6722 25 minutes ago, Uncle Doug said: I haven't seen any workers at the new Panamonte bridge construction in several days. Having a bit of fun here. Given the title of the news article and the content of Doug’s reply, maybe the title should be changed to reflect megaprojects and microprojects because I can’t seriously think of the Panamonte bridge being a either a project or miniproject, and certainly not a megaproject. Microproject is the best word I can think of. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSailors Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Have not seen any workers at the new building in Boquete across from Dollar store. It went up pretty fast and seems like it is at a snail's pace now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim and Judi Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 1 hour ago, TwoSailors said: Have not seen any workers at the new building in Boquete across from Dollar store. It went up pretty fast and seems like it is at a snail's pace now. Last week I saw two men working there. Two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 1 hour ago, BD said: Having a bit of fun here. Given the title of the news article and the content of Doug’s reply, maybe the title should be changed to reflect megaprojects and microprojects because I can’t seriously think of the Panamonte bridge being a either a project or miniproject, and certainly not a megaproject. Microproject is the best word I can think of. ? The purpose of your post escapes me. At a cost in the millions of dollars, the Panamonte Bridge reconstruction is scarcely a microproject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted April 30, 2018 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2018 Quote Strikers plan mass rally on Monday Posted on April 29, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 229 A MASS rally of striking construction workers on Monday, April 30 is expected to attract scores of thousands of participants, to decide on future action. Monday will mark the 13th day of the strike called by the Union of Construction and Associated Workers (Suntracs), without an agreement with the employers’ association (Capac) which claims the stoppage is costing the economy $30 million a day. Over 260 construction projects, including Metro Line 2 and Terminal 2 at Tocumen International Airport are paralyzed. Negotiations over an agreement covering the next four years have been ongoing for six months, with most details settled except the major sticking point – wages. On Saturday, the Suntracs leadership reiterated that the workers are not going to accept the “crumbs” of two cents an hour increase each year. The Monday assembly is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Parque Porras, to “take new decisions regarding the strike and the actions that we will carry forward, “said Suntracs leader Sául Méndez. Capac has said that it expects to reach an agreement with the Suntracs in line with “to the current conditions of the industry and economic development of the country “. President, Juan Carlos, on the weekend said: “I call on the leadership of the Capac to improve their proposal and the leadership of Suntracs to get closer to the reality of the ability of the construction industry to make the payment” http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/strikers-mass-rally-on-monday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 1, 2018 Moderators Share Posted May 1, 2018 Quote Thousands endorse ongoing construction strike Posted on April 30, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 115 THOUSANDS of striking construction workers belonging to the Suntracs Union, gathered in Panama, Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui on Monday, April 30 vowing to continue their two-week work stoppage, and rejecting the wage “crumbs” offered by the employers’ association (CAPAC). At the end of the Panama City assembly in Parque Porras, Union members chanting “decent wages’’ marched to the Capac headquarters. The strike began on April 18 after six months of negotiations had stalled over wage issues with the employers initially offering a cent an hour increase each year over a four-year agreement. They later raised the offer to two cents e claiming that the industry is in decline although real estate salespeople are touting investment opportunities in a booming economy. Capac claims that by Wednesday the strike will have cost the economy half a billion dollars, Saul Mendez Suntracs leader Saúl Méndez said that they will not accept the “crumbs” proposed by Capac as part of the collective agreement in effect between 2018 and 2021 in spite of orchestrated media and social network attacks. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/thousands-endorse-ongoing-construction-strike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted May 1, 2018 Author Share Posted May 1, 2018 The builders' latest wage increase proposal seems unreasonable to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted May 1, 2018 Share Posted May 1, 2018 No workers or construction work happening yesterday at Federal Mall near David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted May 1, 2018 Author Share Posted May 1, 2018 6 minutes ago, Marcelyn said: No workers or construction work happening yesterday at Federal Mall near David. Nor on Boquete's water and sewer systems, the Panamonte Bridge, and the Ruta Sur extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 2, 2018 Moderators Share Posted May 2, 2018 Quote Thousands mark Labor Day as strike remains Posted on May 1, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 135 Thousands of workers across Panama turned out for marches and rallies on Labor Day, Tuesday, May 1. They were reinforced with homilies and platitudes from politicians and party hacks, extolling the dignity of labor while work on 260 construction projects is at a standstill as the employers’ association, Capac, stands firm on its two cents an hour pay raise offer, and the Suntracs union refuses what it has called “crumbs.” Bargaining, which has dragged on for over six months will resume on Wednesday with the government hinting at arbitration. Activities in the capital city, began early with a mass in the Don Bosco basilica, in Calidonia followed by a march from Parque Porras, scene of a mass Siuntracs gathering on Monday, to Plaza Cinco de Mayo. Meanwhile, associations and unions of construction workers, fishermen, and educators paraded to the beat of tamborito through the streets of the Santiago. in the province of Veraguas Union parades took place in David, Chiriqui, and Bocas del Toro. Meanwhile, President Varela Tweeted: “Thanks to your efforts, Panama continues to grow, with your work and the commitment you put to what you do, we continue to build this Nation, Happy # Day of the Worker.“ http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/thousands-mark-labor-day-as-strike-remains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 3, 2018 Moderators Share Posted May 3, 2018 Quote Construction strike enters third week Posted on May 2, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 71 Panama’s construction workers strike, called by the Suntracs Union has entered its third week with little sign of an early end as some 90,000 members await a May 12 assembly called by union leaders, Work is paralyzed on 261 projects including Metro Line 3 and Tocumen International Airport Terminal 2, both needing completion in advance of World Youth Day in January 2019, which will attract scores of thousands of pilgrims to join Pope Francis. On Wednesday 2 striking workers received their second $50 weekly strike pay Suntracs general secretary Saúl Méndez of Suntracs, reported that in total there have been 13 days on strike (not counting Sundays) and that they will maintain the stoppage until they reach a pact with the members of the employers Construction Chamber But he acknowledged little progress at the negotiating table. Workers want a wage increase of 11% per year, while employers have offered one percent. According to the projections of the business sector, the strike represents an impact on the general economy of at least $30 million a day. http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-4/construction-strike-enters-third-week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 5, 2018 Moderators Share Posted May 5, 2018 Quote Varela urges union and employers greater flexibility to overcome strike Fri, 05/04/2018 - 15:03 Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela today urged the main union of the construction and employers greater flexibility to overcome the strike, which is now 15 days and leaves millions of losses, and suggested to rethink the negotiations from a wage increase of 14 percent in four years. "Today is 15 days, it is one of the longest strikes, although it has been peaceful, it must be acknowledged, but more than 100,000 Panamanian families and government works are being affected," the president told reporters. Varela explained that the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) convened on Thursday the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the National Union of Construction Workers and Similar Industries (Suntracs) to a "rapprochement meeting" in the ministerial headquarters to "change the negotiating dynamics". "I hope that today's meeting will change the negotiating dynamics so that we look for an agreement between tomorrow and the weekend," he said. "The government has set a point of reference, which is the adjustment that was made in the minimum wage, which is approximately 14 percent. It is an important point of reference for the parties to come closer," the president added. The employers and the powerful union Suntracs have negotiated for months a new collective agreement, which will be in force from this year until 2022. Although the parties have managed to reach a consensus on most of the clauses, the negotiations ran aground on the salary adjustment and, in the absence of agreement, the Suntracs began on April 18 an indefinite strike, which keeps hundreds of works suspended. Varela warned that the strike may affect the delivery times of two important public projects, the second metro line in the capital and the expansion of the country's main airport, which should be completed before January 2019, when the World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Panama. "I urge with great love my country, especially the construction workers, who are the ones who do the beautiful works that are seen in Panama, and businesspeople." I do not ask for it for the Government but for Panama, for the Panamanian people and for the 100,000 families that depend on construction," said Varela. The president also reminded that arbitration exists, but it can only be activated if it is requested by one of the parties, something that has not yet happened. The construction employers initially proposed a 0.5 percent wage increase over the next four years, equivalent to 2 percent in 2022, while the union demanded that the total adjustment be 60 percent, that is, 15 percent each year. The parties, however, have lowered their claims and currently the negotiations are stuck in a salary increase for 2022 of 44 percent (Suntracs) and 4 percent (employers). http://www.panamatoday.com/panama/varela-urges-union-and-employers-greater-flexibility-overcome-strike-6781 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 6, 2018 Moderators Share Posted May 6, 2018 Quote STRIKE: Construction employers dig in Posted on May 5, 2018 in Panama Post Views: 162 The construction industry employers’ guild (Capac) says it is making “important efforts” to come up with a plan to end the strike that started on April 18 but claims that the pay demands by the workers’ union (Suntracs) are excessive. Capac president Héctor Ortega, said on Saturday, May 5 that to agree to an unsustainable pay increase would leave the industry without the ability to develop and put at risk the purchasing power of buyers. He said that the solution will depend on Suntracs forgetting its high pretensions and instead “make them in accordance with the industry”. Suntracs must ask themselves what is more important if they keep theirjobs or aim for a wage increase that endangers those jobs. Suntracs depends on the end of the strike, “he said. Ortega described as “positive” the efforts made by the president, Juan Carlos Varela, in recent days to bring the negotiating positions closer and end the strike. “We understand President Varela’s concern because the strike is impacting the economy in general and more than 100,000 workers and their families who cannot take home to their families the wages they are losing due to work stoppage, “he said. Some 260 construction projects in the public and private sectors in the country are paralyzed , including the expansion of the Tocumen airport and line 2 of the Metro which are dear to the heart of President Varela as his term winds down and he prepares to receive Pope Francis and scores of thousands of pilgrims attending World Youth Day (WYD) in January 2019. Workers are seeking an increase of 11% per year, while employers have offered 1% per year, an offer described as “crumbs” by Suntracs leader Saul Mendez. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/strike-construction-employers-dig-in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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