transportation

Interior drivers call for strike

Transportation leaders are calling for a national strike in the interior that will last for one day on Feb. 25.

The strike was approved at a meeting in Veraguas yesterday. It will start at midnight and last for 24 hours.

The decision to strike was made after the government failed to respond to a list of demands submitted by leaders representing 60 transportation organizations from the provinces of Veraguas, Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, Chiriquí and Colón.

The carriers are upset with the rising price of fuel, and are asking the government to subsidize their costs.

While fuel prices have increased, the government has not raised the amount the carriers can charge.

The strike is not expected to affect Panama City, but union leaders in the city said they support their colleagues.

Panama City carriers have also been negotiating with the government to address the problem of rising fuel prices. A strike has been threatened in that dispute, but no work stoppage has taken place so far.

The government has offered a fuel subsidy, but drivers are pushing for a rate increase.