The AyA Strike Is Finally Over. Maybe.
For the third time since the strike by the workers of the Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) began 36 days ago, there is an agreement that will end the strike.

The last agreement negotiated by the three unions and executives of the AyA late Friday, that was to have ended the strike, was never signed by Rafael Ángel Villalta, president AyA, and the workers were out in full force Monday, though a Labour Tribunal declared the strike illegal last Thursday.

The meeting between union leaders, Ministro de Trabajo, Fernando Trejos, Vice- Ministro de la Presidencia, Luis Madrigal, David Fuentes, Ministro de Hacienda, La Defensora de los Habitantes (Ombusdman), Lisbeth Quesada, Catholic priest, Guido Villalta and the AyA president, took place inside the main offices of the AyA in Pavas as workers outside kept the strike action alive.

A mobile public address system was placed outside the AyA gates, playing, over and over, the message by the workers. At the end of the day, the national anthem was played, as the announcement of an agreement was made.

The workers have been on strike demanding pay parity with other government employees, claiming that they are lowest paid of all civil employees, some working for less than minimum wage.

The agreement signed yesterday was basically the same negotiated last Friday, that gives AyA employees a 9.81% salary hike effective as of November 1, as well it guarantees that there will be no reprisals against employees who have been off on strike.

Edgar Morals, secretary general of the ANEP workers unions, said the agreement is basically the same as that of last Friday, but since the AyA president failed to sing it as had been agreed, the strike was prolonged.

In Costa Rica, striking workers have the benefit of receiving their full salary and benefits as long as the strike is not declared illegal, thus demonstrations and picketing only occur during workdays and work hours.

In the case of the AyA workers, the strike met the requirements that 60% of the employees were taking part in the action and a lower court declared it legal two weeks ago, however, last Thursday, the Tribunales de Trabajo, said the strike was illegal and forced the unions to quickly settle.