SUNTRACS
Encyclopedia
SUNTRACS, properly called El Sindicato único nacional de trabajadores de la industria de la construcción y similares (National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries), is one of the leading trade union
forces in Panama
, with 40,000 members and a militant
style of class war
unionism
. It is the leader union within Coordinadora de Unidad Sindical (CONUSI), the most radical of the major union federations in Panama.
Led by Genaro Lopez, SUNTRACS has initiated three general strikes in the past few years, and has been the instrumental force within FRENADESO, the national coalition to prevent the privatization
of Panama's social security. It has been closely connected with radical leftist groups and Padre Conrado Sanjur, an important local figure in liberation theology
.
There is a positive aspect of this Union. They are working for on-the-job safety of their members. There have been many deaths and injuries due to unsafe working conditions. This Union works to improve conditions to prevent further casualties.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
forces in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, with 40,000 members and a militant
Militant
The word militant, which is both an adjective and a noun, usually is used to mean vigorously active, combative and aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in 'militant reformers'. It comes from the 15th century Latin "militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier"...
style of class war
Class conflict
Class conflict is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests between people of different classes....
unionism
Unionism
-Trades:*Community Unionism, describes the various ways in which trade unions can work with communities and community organizations*Craft unionism, an approach to union organizing in the United States and elsewhere that seeks to unify workers in a particular industry along the lines of the...
. It is the leader union within Coordinadora de Unidad Sindical (CONUSI), the most radical of the major union federations in Panama.
Led by Genaro Lopez, SUNTRACS has initiated three general strikes in the past few years, and has been the instrumental force within FRENADESO, the national coalition to prevent the privatization
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
of Panama's social security. It has been closely connected with radical leftist groups and Padre Conrado Sanjur, an important local figure in liberation theology
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
.
There is a positive aspect of this Union. They are working for on-the-job safety of their members. There have been many deaths and injuries due to unsafe working conditions. This Union works to improve conditions to prevent further casualties.