Versión Español
EspañolLast Thursday, a costly 15-day union strike came to an end, and work resumed on the already-delayed expansion of the Panama Canal.
Construction workers throughout Panama walked out two weeks ago, causing losses estimated at US$1 million a day. The National Trade Union of Construction and Related Sectors (SUNTRACS) announced they negotiated a wage increase between 9.1 and 11 percent, effective July 1 and increasing progressively until 2017.
On Tuesday, the United Groups for the Canal (GUPC), a consortium of construction companies leading the expansion work, told the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) it will demand a reimbursement for cost overruns incurred due to the strike.
The GUPC stressed it was not to blame for the suspension of work and that the delay will affect the project’s schedule. The Panama Canal expansion was scheduled to be completed by December 2015.
Source: Diario Las Américas, El País.
