Nearly 200,000 members of the Colombian Association of
Truckers struck for two weeks protesting
the government’s deregulation of the industry. Truckers began the strike
Feb. 3 in response to the Santos administration’s decision to eliminate the
“table of shipping costs,” a list of minimum freight rates.
After initial talks with the government proved
unsuccessful, the truckers increased their efforts to reinstate the rates table
by blocking major roads in Bogotá. The strike ended Feb. 17 after negotiations.
The government agreed to delay implementation of the deregulation plan and seek
ways to mitigate the impact on independent truckers.
With the majority of the members of the association being
individual truck owners, the deregulation promoted by President Santos would
undercut their ability to work by transferring their business to monopolized
transnational corporations whose truckers are not protected by unions or
associations.
Riot police were sent to the major roads with orders by
Santos to use force against those who refused to clear the roads. Police
dispersed protesters with tear gas, and claims have surfaced that over 60
truckers were arrested.
In support of the strike, truckers mobilized nationwide on
major roads, some traveling from distant cities to Bogotá to intensify the
pressure.
