Workers Strike in Panama Canal Locks Project
Posted by Eric Haun
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued a press release stating it has learned of a National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (SUNTRACS) notice to strike issued to Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), the main contractor for the Canal's third set of locks project, which is currently 93 percent complete.
The ACP said it is deeply concerned about the situation and is closely following its developments as the authority’s business may be directly impacted if work is not carried out to deliver the project on time.
The ACP said it has therefore encouraged both sides to reach an agreement on matters that, by law, only pertain to dealings between GUPC and SUNTRACS members. The ACP noted that although it is the ultimate owner of the project, it is in no way responsible for labor issues arising from any failure on the part of GUPC to meet labor demands by its subcontractors.