Strikes

Looks like it is time for more strikes. Here, when the public transportation people want to up the fare, they usually begin a series of strikes. The fare went up 25% this week, but almost no one was paying the increase. First, it wasn't paid because it wasn't announced, and of course people weren't prepared with enough money on hand to pay it. It came as quite a surprise. And then, there were the conscientious objectors, like myself, who simply refused to pay it. You can do that at first, but eventually it is pay or don't ride.

Now will begin a series of strikes, where the transportation industry will force the issue by virtually shutting down the country. Some drivers don't agree with the increase themselves, but they don't dare not participate in the strikes. The government will negotiate, but the transportation folks aren't called "the owners of the country" for nothing.


Sometimes the strikes are punctuated with violence. Drivers who keep providing public transportation have had molotov cocktails thrown in their vehicles. 

A strike is a day off, whether or not you can afford it, or like it. The safest thing to do on the day of a general strike is to stay home. If it is only a transportation strike, then it is still safe to go out, however. It is easy to tell. Is the colmado (little grocery store) on the corner closed? Then stay home! Are they burning tires in the neighborhood? Stay home!

One of these days, the transportation folks are going to raise fares, and the people are going to say "enough is enough," and the riders are going to strike. But for now, we'll just whine and complain, and pay whatever they ask, because feeling powerless and accepting injustice is just part of this Dominican Life.