10,000 public sector workers protest in Chile

Some 10,000 public sector employees held a mass protest march in Chile's capital Santiago Wednesday as part of a two-day strike over stalled discussions on increased pay. The protesters gathered in downtown Estacion Central around 10:30 a.m. local time before marching toward Los Heroes square. The strike was called after the government unilaterally suspended a meeting scheduled for Tuesday to resume negotiations on a wage increase. The march coincided with a demonstration by the National Association of Municipal Workers (Asemuch), which is holding a two-week strike to demand a wage increase on par with other public sector workers, who in turn are demanding an 8 percent rise for next year. The government has presented public sector employees with a counterproposal. For municipal workers, the government has submitted a bill to the congress, but has not consulted the bill with the workers or city mayors. Arturo Villagran, a member of Asemuch, said despite the proposed bill, his group will continue its protest until it reaches an agreement. Public sector leaders said their protests will not affect the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections Sunday.