GAS STATION WORKERS STRIKE AGAIN

UNCLAS CONAKRY 001303 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: PREL PREL KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: GAS STATION WORKERS STRIKE AGAIN REF: CONAKRY 1234 ¶1. (SBU) Unionized gas station works staged a one-day labor strike on December 5 in continuation of a nation-wide strike that began on November 11 and then was suspended on November 12 after business owners agreed to negotiate union demands (reftel). According to union contacts, workers resumed the strike due to lack of progress on key issues. Following additional negotiations with the Patronat that went into the late evening on December 5, SIFOG (Independent Union of Guinean Labor Forces) leaders agreed to suspend the strike again. ¶2. (SBU) Union leader Idrissa Diawara reported that business owners agreed to revisit the following demands: - review and revision of labor contracts - retroactive registration of employees for social security benefits, beginning in January 2005 - provision of medical insurance coverage for employees and their families - overtime pay - paid holidays - provision of employee allowances for transportation and housing ¶3. (SBU) In addition, Diawara said that the unions continue to demand a 100% increase in their salaries, but that employers have not made any commitment in terms of salaries. Diawara added that negotiations would resume on December 7. CARTER