NewsWhore
07-21-2008, 03:10 PM
Clemente Morillo, secretary general of the Petroleum Tanker Transporters Union (SACTPA), says they will not comply with the San Cristobal court judgment to lift the boycott against Chevron or pay the RD$100,000 penalty the court established for each subsequent day that SACTPA member tankers prevent Chevron tankers from loading fuel. The SACTPA spokesman, said the tankers' union would appeal the judgment later this week.
As reported in Listin Diario, Morillo said that if the government tries to impose the judgment using the police or the army, they will paralyze transport of all kinds of fuel in the country, including propane.
"In case the tankers, with the help of the police and army are able to enter the port area, they will not be able to drive the trucks, as only specialized drivers can handle those trucks," said Morillo.
While the impasse is maintained, Chevron tankers have had difficulties supplying their Texaco gas stations. Nevertheless, it was reported that several stations are being sourced by suppliers of other fuel companies.
Morillo wants the government to rule in their favor as has happened over the past 30 years when the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has looked the other way to prevent a conflict with the union. This time Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes has not been fully compliant.
The problems got worse after 9 June, when Chevron decided to rescind the service contracts with five contractors of 25 trucks (driven by 50 authorized drivers), replacing them with tankers of their choice. The SACTPA drivers responded by parking their tankers at the entrance of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery to prevent Chevron-authorized tankers from entering to load supplies.
This is a landmark case. For the first time a company, Chevron Caribbean, has decided to resist the demands of a transport cartel, despite heavy losses. Chevron Caribbean is upholding rights granted under the DR-CAFTA agreement. What is decided could have an effect on the Fenatrado truckers' cartel, which has also forced its services on companies, with the complacency of the government.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)
As reported in Listin Diario, Morillo said that if the government tries to impose the judgment using the police or the army, they will paralyze transport of all kinds of fuel in the country, including propane.
"In case the tankers, with the help of the police and army are able to enter the port area, they will not be able to drive the trucks, as only specialized drivers can handle those trucks," said Morillo.
While the impasse is maintained, Chevron tankers have had difficulties supplying their Texaco gas stations. Nevertheless, it was reported that several stations are being sourced by suppliers of other fuel companies.
Morillo wants the government to rule in their favor as has happened over the past 30 years when the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has looked the other way to prevent a conflict with the union. This time Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes has not been fully compliant.
The problems got worse after 9 June, when Chevron decided to rescind the service contracts with five contractors of 25 trucks (driven by 50 authorized drivers), replacing them with tankers of their choice. The SACTPA drivers responded by parking their tankers at the entrance of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery to prevent Chevron-authorized tankers from entering to load supplies.
This is a landmark case. For the first time a company, Chevron Caribbean, has decided to resist the demands of a transport cartel, despite heavy losses. Chevron Caribbean is upholding rights granted under the DR-CAFTA agreement. What is decided could have an effect on the Fenatrado truckers' cartel, which has also forced its services on companies, with the complacency of the government.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)