With only two weeks in office, President Luis Guillermo Solís, appears to be headed towards his first showdown, as striking teachers refuse to heed to the President’s call to return to the classroom.
On Thursday, the President assured that time is running out and there is no reason for the teachers not to return to the classroom.
Solís warned educators of legal action if they do not lay down the strike. The President declined to give details of the action and when the strike would be declared illegal.
A group of some 13.000 teachers have been on strike since May 5, days before Solís took office, for problems with the payment of their salaries, in full and part, by the Ministry of Education.
The Solís administration, that inherited the problem from the previous administration, has admitted to the problems and has been working on a quick solution, including holding talks with the teacher unions.
However, the teachers and their unions are confident that if they lay down the strike their wages will be paid as promised and had decided to continue their action until all payments are made.
The President made his comments while attending the opening of graphics printing industry conference at the Antigua Aduana (Old Customs) building in San José.
