NewsWhore
07-23-2008, 05:00 PM
President Leonel Fernandez met with both parties involved in the dispute between the Chevron-Texaco company and the Petroleum Transporters Association (Asociacion de Empresas Transportadoras de Petroleo) and the tanker drivers association (Sindicato Autonomo de Choferes Transportadores de Petroleo y sus Afines) cartels that had blockaded the access to the Dominican Refinery (Refidomsa) since 9 June. The cartels seek a two-year extension of their contracts. Chevron has been upholding its right to choose who carries their cargo. A Court had ordered the end to the blockade and a RD$100,000 per day penalty if it was maintained, but the cartels had said publicly they would not heed the order.
The evening meeting took place after the cartels' 11am announcement that they would remove the blockade to Chevron tankers loading fuel for their 170 Texaco stations at the Dominican Petroleum Refinery. The meeting at the Presidency began at 8:35pm and ended at 10:15pm. President Fernandez met separately with Chevron Caribbean representatives. No decision was reached, and a new meeting was called for next Tuesday.
Taking part in the meeting were tanker representatives Nelson Crespo, Rosa Margarita Sanchez, Frank Quezada and Jose David Vietes. Clemente Morillo represented the SACTPA tanker drivers. For Chevron-Texaco were Rosanna Grullon, Hector Infante and German Santos. Rafael Abreu, president of the National Confederation of Labor Unions (CNUS), was also present.
In addition to President Fernandez, representing the government were Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Luis Manuel Bonetti, and former president of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery and 2008 presidential campaign manager Francisco Javier Garcia.
After the meeting, Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes told the press: "Chevron-Texaco has shown that it is interested in listening to all the proposals that are out there, including those from the transport unions and the drivers' union, while at the same time they have made and will continue to make proposals that will allow for a joining of positions." Paredes said that "we hope that this attitude of an open dialogue that has been initiated will continue and we can announce to the nation that a definitive solution has been reached that will bring peace and tranquility to the citizenry." At the end of the meeting, Morillo expressed his optimism the impasse would be solved in their favor. "We are giving time to wait for Chevron-Texaco's decision about the cancellation of 25 contracts that affect 50 drivers," said Morillo, as reported in Hoy. The tanker cartels had controlled access to the Refinery for 43 days.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)
The evening meeting took place after the cartels' 11am announcement that they would remove the blockade to Chevron tankers loading fuel for their 170 Texaco stations at the Dominican Petroleum Refinery. The meeting at the Presidency began at 8:35pm and ended at 10:15pm. President Fernandez met separately with Chevron Caribbean representatives. No decision was reached, and a new meeting was called for next Tuesday.
Taking part in the meeting were tanker representatives Nelson Crespo, Rosa Margarita Sanchez, Frank Quezada and Jose David Vietes. Clemente Morillo represented the SACTPA tanker drivers. For Chevron-Texaco were Rosanna Grullon, Hector Infante and German Santos. Rafael Abreu, president of the National Confederation of Labor Unions (CNUS), was also present.
In addition to President Fernandez, representing the government were Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Luis Manuel Bonetti, and former president of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery and 2008 presidential campaign manager Francisco Javier Garcia.
After the meeting, Industry & Commerce Minister Melanio Paredes told the press: "Chevron-Texaco has shown that it is interested in listening to all the proposals that are out there, including those from the transport unions and the drivers' union, while at the same time they have made and will continue to make proposals that will allow for a joining of positions." Paredes said that "we hope that this attitude of an open dialogue that has been initiated will continue and we can announce to the nation that a definitive solution has been reached that will bring peace and tranquility to the citizenry." At the end of the meeting, Morillo expressed his optimism the impasse would be solved in their favor. "We are giving time to wait for Chevron-Texaco's decision about the cancellation of 25 contracts that affect 50 drivers," said Morillo, as reported in Hoy. The tanker cartels had controlled access to the Refinery for 43 days.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)