transportation

Drivers to ask for price fix

The Cámara Nacional de Transporte (Canatra) will ask the government this week to freeze the amount bus operators pay for a gallon of diesel.

The union has been threatening to strike if something isn't done about the high cost of fuel. The union has asked for the government to freeze the price operators pay for fuel at $2.50 a gallon or allow them to increase fares.

The government has sent the union a proposal to increase the fuel subsidy from 35 cents to 50 cents, but this incentive has not been greeted favorably. Canatra members fear that the price of fuel will rise again in the near future, thus eroding whatever benefit the new subsidy would provide.

Union members are expected to meet with government representatives on Thursday.

The union's leadership appears split on the issue. Dionel Broce, who represents drivers from the Pedregal area, has been critical of the way the union has negotiated with the government, and has skipped several key meetings.

He is expected to be part of Thursday's meeting.