Unions representing the public sector, including the National Association of Secondary School Teachers (APSE) took to the streets in protest on Wednesday morning. Protesters are opposed to a 0.43 percent wage adjustment for the first half of 2014, and issued a warning for the future government to address definitive wage reform.
Both candidates in the runoff election for President have agreed that negotiating with the unions will be a necessary part of wage reform. Luis Solís (PAC) candidate admitted the problem will not be easy to solve, would require a new wage formula and that strikes are not the ideal solution. Johnny Araya (PLN) used the protest to cite his experience dealing with public sector unions as long-time mayor of San Jose.
A trade group for the private sector criticized the unions and said the ideal solution would be a system of salaries and bonuses that reward performance.
Union leaders have scheduled another protest against the current administration of Laura Chinchilla (PLN) for March 20th.