Union threatens to block nation's roads in protest of education funding gap

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Monday, December 14, 2009 in "La Hora" (lahora.com.gt) under the heading Magisterio anuncia bloqueos en todo el país en apoyo a la reforma fiscal by Luis Arevalo

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA - In protest of a denied request for additional funds to bolster the Ministry of Education’s [Mineduc] budget, the agency’s workers' union has advised that tomorrow it will paralyze the country by blocking many of the nation’s roadways.

Spokesperson Joviel Acevdy said that unless congress approves at least 12 million Guatemalan quetzals [approx. $1.5 million] to shore up Mineduc’s budget, teachers would not finish out the 2010 school year and that blockages would continue until the funds are approved.

Acevedy said that government representatives had been warned of tomorrow’s anticipated actions and that their warnings were ignored. Now they are waiting for congress to arrive at a favorable agreement with them, and if not, he said, the union is prepared to continue its strike for several days.

The union has it may take other measures if a favorable agreement is not reached. These include include staging protests before congress that would continue until their demands are met.

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