Metro Bus Drivers Will Be Paid $580 Per Month
(Panama-Guide) - La Prensa - The consortium Panama Mass Transit yesterday presented its final proposal for a base salary for drivers who will operate the new transportation system Metro Bus: $ 580 per month. The proposed $100 increase from the $480 dollars per month originally offered by the consortium in the beginning, was received with surprise and annoyance of the drivers who were invited to the press conference. Dionisio Ortega, the President of the National Transportation Board, announced they would return to consult with their members, they would evaluate the offer and then today they would announce their response.
The drivers are demanding $700 per month. For Ivan Posada, the manager of Mass Transit Panama, the new wage offer came after they made adjustments to the administrative cost structures of the company. But he said the new higher salary will not impact the user fee. By contrast, he said, the drivers would have to increase their levels of productivity and attention. He added that when the drivers work overtime they would be paid extra, as required by law.
For his part, the Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu reported that the Government has been a facilitator between the Consortium and the drivers, and expects the negotiations to conclude next month when the change to the new buses begins.
**********
Original Source: Panama-Guide
Date Retrieved: November 19, 2010.
