In Aruba, Its OK for Police to Strike … But Not OK According to Aruba Tourism For People To Boycott Aruba in Case of Missing Natalee Holloway

The ALE is striking in Aruba, isn’t that rich! Of course police services did not suffer from striking ALE officers, wouldn’t one have to be making a difference in order to be missed? What is most hypocritical is the fact that individuals are told by Aruban officials that it is wrong to boycott Aruba because of “mis-steps” (cover up and corruption) in the Natalee Holloway investigation, yet its perfects fine for the ALE to strike for higher wages. Once again in Aruba … its all about the money.

(Picture: Hat Tip Klaas)

According to chief of police Peter de Witte, the police service didn’t suffer any consequence due to the actions; only that other work gets backlogged.  The employees of the Technical Inspection Service walked out this morning.

Here is a comment that should scare the heck out of potential tourists to Aruba, the air traffic controllers will be joining the ALE.

The air traffic controllers joined the actions yesterday; they demand a salary increase of 5.2 percent.  The civil servants urge the government to sit down and talk to the unions.  They hold the government accountable for the consequences of the actions.  It is not sure yet when and how the air traffic controllers are going to demonstrate.  

Police stepped up actions (Amigoe, 3/6/08)

More than one-hundred police officers participated in a lightning strike against the government yesterday.  Also the custom-personnel and the employees of the Mentally Handicap Foundation in Piedra Plat walked out for a short period of time.

ORANJESTAD – Yesterday, more than one-hundred police officers participated in the SDU‘s lightning strike for more salary.  Together with SADA, the police went on strike again this morning and this afternoon; this time for two hours each time. 

According to chief of police Peter de Witte, the police service didn’t suffer any consequence due to the actions; only that other work gets backlogged.  The employees of the Technical Inspection Service walked out this morning.

The air traffic controllers joined the actions yesterday; they demand a salary increase of 5.2 percent.  The civil servants urge the government to sit down and talk to the unions.  They hold the government accountable for the consequences of the actions.  It is not sure yet when and how the air traffic controllers are going to demonstrate.   

ULTIMATUM

The ultimatum of the unions lapses tomorrow.  If the government does not show up at the negotiation table, the SDU will boost the actions.  Spokesperson of SDU, Magaly Brito, does not rule out a long-lasting strike with more government services.  Simar has had it; this union incites all her members (teachers) to massively protest tomorrow. 

The government stands firm that there is no money for the wage claims.  According to the minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Nilo Swaen (MEP), there is no abundance on the 2008 budget.   “We have not considered wage claims, when the budget was drawn up.  If we meet the claims now, some of the departments will have to close their doors till December, because there won’t be more money to continue in operation.”  Swaen does not advocate salary indexation.  “This was my viewpoint since 2001; compensation, yes, but indexation, no; because it will also affect the AOV, AZV, and the pension.”

It is not known what the unions have asked as salary increase.  In a letter from Seppa to the government, this union claims 23.5 percent increase.  The Bloke Sindical that does not take part in the actions, wants almost 30 percent more.