The different labor unions in Costa Rica rejected the “preliminary proposal” they had negotiated with the Government between Friday and Saturday, the meeting that was scheduled between the parties for this Sunday at 3 p.m. was cancelled and instead the leaders of the movement held a press conference where they confirmed they will continue with the indefinite strike until the Government eliminates the current fiscal plan.

After 8 days of dialogue representatives of the labor unions and representatives of the Government had reached a preliminary agreement in which the Government offered to hold meetings with them to consider their proposals and reach a consensus on possible changes to the plan, they also offered not to take any reprisals against the employees that had participated in the protests; all this under the condition that the labor unions would call off the strike this Monday.

However, after consulting with their bases, the unions announced their rejection to this proposal and affirmed that the movement would be even stronger as of this Monday.

Only two labor union groups, UNDECA and SINAE agreed with the proposal, but indicated that they were subject to the decision of the majority.

Albino Vargas, representative of the National Association of Public Workers, stated that “they defend their constitutional right to strike”, and that they do not fear the resolutions of illegality of the labor courts that could eventually lead to strikers getting their salaries deducted.

Minister of Labor, Steven Nuñez, who was part of the negotiations, commented that the “the proposal was created in conjunction (with the labor union leaders)”, and therefore he was sorry to hear of the position of some labor unions specially since their decision affects children, those requiring medical attention, and Costa Rica in general, he also invited those unions that were interested in continuing with the negotiations under the terms proposed to sign the agreement to start dialogue. The Minister of Justice was also emphatic that the fiscal plan will continue its process in the Legislative Assembly, she also questioned the leadership of the labor unions’ representatives.