Metro Bus deadline running out and strike looms

With less than two hours before the deadline for a strike, Metro bus drivers have said they have not received a response from the company that operates the public transport system

"There has been nothing from Mi Bus " said the driver’s leader, Inocente Guerra, who added that "the picture looks dark, said La Prensa"
Minister of Government Jorge Ricardo Fábrega had earlier called on the leaders of the Metro bus drivers to stop calling for a work stoppage.
Fábrega said that the process of transforming the public transport system is still underway. “This project is ."not finished and some routes are still missing.” he said..
"We have to expect that the work will be completed to make the system fully operational," the minister said.and added that Mi Bus, the operator of the Metro, has made an effort to be part of this transformation.
Fábrega said that transport users should not have to suffer from the work stoppage, and they will be left "floundering."
Meanwhile, the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede) called for a constructive dialogue between the parties.
The association indicated that they should consider the well-being of the hundreds of thousands of users of this transport system. Ih a press release Apede said that the maximum effort must be made to reach an understanding that is beneficial to both employees and the company.
Inocente Guerra, the spokesman for Metro bus drivers, said that the Metro operator Mi Bus has not responded to the demands of the drivers for a salary increase, and that the only contact he has had is with Minister of Labor Alma Cortés.
Some drivers have objected to the strike call, pointing out that the bus drivers get free uniforms, Social Security coverage, and regular hours, and they describe the protestors as hot heads.
Mi Bus officials have said that the system will continue operating in the event of a strike.