Original article: Se le juntan los paros a Kast: camioneros de la RM convocan movilización mientras en San Antonio siguen sin acuerdo

Kast Faces Multiple Strikes: Truckers in Metropolitan Region Plan Mobilization While San Antonio Protests Continue Without Agreement

President José Antonio Kast is dealing with mounting strikes. Small and medium-sized freight companies, organized under Fenatrac – Fuerza Tolvera, have confirmed a planned shutdown for Wednesday, November 4th, in the Metropolitan Region. This action comes in response to the rising fuel prices, TAG fees, and tolls. The situation coincides with ongoing protests from independent truckers in San Antonio, who have yet to reach an agreement with cargo generators.

The call for mobilization was reaffirmed by tolvera SMEs in the Metropolitan Region, who are seeking concrete responses from La Moneda. In a press release, the group claimed that the increased cost of fuel, higher TAG and toll charges, along with the rise in operational expenses, jeopardize the survival of hundreds of small businesses.

According to Fenatrac President Patricia Angulo, the decision to strike stems from the tough economic situation facing transporters.

“We’re not stopping work because we want to; it’s because, under these conditions, the activity is no longer sustainable for our SMEs,” she stated in remarks taken by Canal 9.

The leader also made a direct appeal to Kast’s administration for action addressing their current situation: “We require the Government to listen to us and propose effective, concrete solutions with established timelines,” she emphasized.

Fenatrac made it clear they are willing to engage in discussions, but requested the establishment of a working group with authorities, along with defined goals and deadlines.

“We can no longer tolerate our requests being ignored while costs keep rising,” they stated in the release, reiterating that the financial sustainability of small businesses and the livelihoods of trucking families are at risk.

They noted that through this strike, they aim to highlight the difficulties faced by businesses that “work daily, create jobs, and contribute to various productive activities,” yet are increasingly unable to sustain themselves financially.

Fenatrac reiterated its call to Kast’s government: “We want to talk, and we demand to be heard.”

Independent Truckers in San Antonio Remain on Strike Without Agreement

Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Valparaíso region, independent truckers have been on an indefinite strike since October 28, demanding respect and accusing seven companies owning off-port warehouses of refusing to negotiate.

Manuel Araya, president of Agreporsai, warned about a potential collapse of the ports and labeled the lack of dialogue from the cargo generators as “an act of stubbornness.” The companies involved in the negotiations include D&C, Sitrans, Agunsa, Medlog, CLEP, SIX Extraportuario, and Contopsa.

“Nothing will change until they are willing to sit down and talk with us. And we are in this situation. I think, as an individual, as a truck owner, as a driver, we need respect,” Araya told Radio Bio Bío.

The strike was called to protest against the rising fuel prices and the absence of government measures to cushion the increase in operational costs.

The sector’s demands include the updating of freight rates, which have been stagnant for years while diesel prices have nearly doubled since 2022; the elimination of four new TAG portals installed along Route 78; and for negotiations to be led by a government authority in San Antonio instead of Santiago.

The truckers noted they have only received an offer of a $2,000 increase for cargo transport from Contopsa, which they have deemed “a mockery.” They reminded that the most recent rate adjustment occurred in 2022.

According to the transporters, the work stoppage has prevented the entry of over 3,000 containers into the port and the exit of a similar number. DP World and STI are operating above their normal saturation levels, and about 200 trucks remain idle, just as the fruit export season is about to commence.

If the indefinite strike continues, around US$300,000 in fruit exports —approximately $308 billion— could be at risk.

Meanwhile, independent truckers in Coronel, in the Bío Bío region, expressed concerns over the rising fuel prices and indicated the possibility of joining the mobilizations, further increasing pressure on Kast’s administration.