Thursday, May 5, 2011

Truckers join fray in Argentine energy strikes

BUENOS AIRES -- Drivers belonging to the powerful truckers union in Argentina blocked access to fuel distribution centers yesterday demanding higher wages. The action is in support of oil refinery workers who threatened to strike as month-long negotiations with companies reached an impasse.

The Labor Ministry swiftly ordered the truckers to return to work. A compulsory extension of  negotiations between refinery workers and their employers will expire next Wednesday.

"On the sixth day, when the conciliation expires, we will pull out the stops. We will halt all the oil companies in the country," said a  truckers' union official.