Chilean Public Workers Strike Again

SANTIAGO DE CHILE - Chilean workers from all 14 public workers trade unions mobilized again on Monday for higher wages and against mass layoffs.

The public workers will express their discontent through strikes and marches, said Arturo Martinez, president of the Central Union of Chilean Workers.

"We will fight to the end," said the president of the Association of Public Workers, Raul de la Puente, who criticized the government's rejection of the union's wage hike proposals.

The workers are demanding an increase of more than six percent, while the administration proposes a 4.2 percent raise, which will be discussed Tuesday in Parliament.

The demonstration today takes place in front of Plaza Los Heroes, in the capital, and tomorrow workers will protest at legislative headquarters in the city of Valparaiso.

De la Puente said some 8,000 workers have been fired because of preferential treatment or political reasons rather than an alleged lack of professional capacity.