Canal expansion strikers block Christmas traffic

HUNDREDS of workers employed in the construction of an access channel to the Panama Canal, for the expansion of the waterway, took an early Christmas break as they went on strike on December 24, over disagreements with the consortium ICA-FCC-MECO.

In the meantime protesting workers added to the Christmas Eve traffic jam as they temporarily blocked access to a Centennial Bridge as drivers headed for the Interior.
A source in the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said the managing entity “closely follows the development of events” which represent a threat to the continuity of the works in the Pacific sector.
The excavation, which 83% complete according to the ACP, is the last missing link to complete the access channel to the new lock to be built in the Pacific sector and scheduled for completion in 2015.
According to the source, the consortium FCC-ICA-MECO communicated to the ACP that they operate under Panamanian labor provisions under the “strict control” of the Ministry of Labour (Mitradel).
The consortium is formed by Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, SA (FCC), with 43%; Civil Engineers Associates, Inc. de C.V. (ICA), 43% and Meco, SA (MECO), 14%.
The workers, members of National Union of Construction Workers (Untraics) claim that the consortium is not fulfilling the agreements made in July after a four-day strike.
Abelardo Herrera Director of Untraics, Abel said it has also called for the dismissal of some foreign foremen, who have exceeded their functions with “arrogance” and even “yesterday[Tuesday] gave blows” to a worker.
It is the third time in 2014 that dry excavation work in this sector has been paralyzed by contractual disagreements between the consortium and workers. In March there was, a six-day stoppage.
Striking workers are meeting with officials from the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development to address their claims.