Workers at the state refinery, the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE), will be on strike today in response to a call by their union, in protest of Constitutional Court filing by the Contraloría General de la República (Comptrollers General’s office) against tripe pay incentive.
The Sindicato de Trabajadores Petroleros químico y afines (Sitrapequia) union says the action is against the principles of equality, legality and financial management.
Jorge Rojas, RECOPE’s general manager, assured the public that today’s strike will not disrupt fueling services, as the state entity has a prepared strategy to deal with such events.
For example, retailers and transporters were told that the fuel depots would be open two extra hours on Wednesday, that is filling tankers up to 10:00 pm instead of the usal 8:00 pm closing time, explained Rojas.
Rojas added that fuel supply at the Juan Santamaria international airport in San José and the ports of Limón will not be interrupted.
The RECOPE manager said that the refinery defends the incentive pay questions by the Contraloría and has made it known to the Constitutional Court.
Gilbert Brown, head of the RECOPE workers union, said, “the strike will serve to send a message to the country”.
It is unlikely that gasoline stations will run out of fuel today. However, fuel supply could be interrupted if the strike continues past today.