Transport Sector Inclined to Postpone Strike after 'Positive' Talks with Miqati

The transportation sector on Tuesday seemed inclined to postpone a strike scheduled for Thursday, following a meeting between a syndical delegation and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

Radio Voice of Lebanon (100.3-100.5) reported that “the demands were put on the agenda of the cabinet session that will be held on Friday.”

Head of the land transportation union, Bassam Tleis, said after the meeting that Miqati understands the union’s demands, announcing that a second meeting will be held with the premier next week to resume the discussions.

The union is demanding a price ceiling for fuel, family allowance for public drivers covered by social security, and a transportation plan. It has also called on the government to curb violations and heed the demands of truck and tanker drivers.

“Honestly, I can say that for the first time I have sensed that the premier and the ministers are seriously and responsibly following up on the issue, after we discussed during the hour and a half session all the details and topics … especially the issue of the two gas and diesel jerrycans for all Lebanese,” Tleis said.

Tleis noted that the stance of Miqati and the ministers was “positive concerning all this topics” and that “they requested they be given a chance to make accurate calculations and come up with an implementation mechanism.”

Another meeting between the ministerial panel and the transport union delegation will be held on Tuesday at the Grand Serail “in order to put things on the right track,” Tleis added.

He said he called “all colleagues in the syndicate to an emergency meeting tomorrow at 11:00 am at the HQ of the General Labor Confederation to put them in the picture of what happened, and in light of this meeting we will endorse the decision of the majority.”