Imminent Nicaragua Transport Strike
Monday is the deadline set by Nicaraguan transportation workers to go on strike and paralyze public service in response to government´s refusal to meet their demands for state subsidy.

The "buseros", as they are called by the local population, demand payments of just over a million dollars a month (20 million cordobas) to mitigate losses caused by increased oil prices without raising fares.

The union says it charges 2.50 cordobas ($0.15) per ticket, generating losses of nearly $0.05 per passenger.

Transport workers´ complaints are backed by Managua´s Transport Regulator Institute, which stated that the real cost is 3.46 cordobas (some $0.20). However, authorities have not provided a positive response.

Urban Transportation´s Regional Cooperatives Union President Rafael Quinto Saturday held responsible Finances Minister Mario Arana, who assures there are no funds for subsidies.

The minister, in turn, is putting the burden on Managua Major´s shoulders and is holding him responsible for the controversy for resufing to start negotiations.

The stoppage of public transportation, that serves more than 800,000 people in the Nicaraguan capital, adds to the two-month doctors´strike and protests by the legal workers against their reduced salaries.

Similarly, students assured they are ready to protest in case of a temporal rise on tickets price.