Public workers go on strike

Chilean public workers have resumed a strike on 18 November 2008 to press their demands for higher wages; the development follows several days of negotiations with the government and a two-day strike held last week. Unions have announced that the strike will be indefinite, lasting until the government agrees to a 14.5 percent salary increase for thousands of public sector workers. The strike is affecting services ranging from health facilities, schools, garbage collections and customs offices, among others. In light of the strike, several thousand people are expected to participate in a protest march in Valparaiso on 18 November; the march is anticipated to pass without major incident.