Bus driver unions threaten to expand stoppages

[koolkat]

The situation between the country's "owners" (very influential union leaders capable of intimidating the government even at the federal level) and the government at all levels appears to be intensifying, stranding thousands of locals and tourists in key areas of the country, recently Santo Domingo, Cabarete and Puerto Plata, among others.

I have read in Dominican Today that a national transportation strike is very real. This month, there have been fire bombs causing serious injuries, gunfire exchanges between protestors and police, a police station was attacked, deaths and protests, from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata, including Cabarete.

Can any of you Sosua folks shed some light on this situation? Is this siutation getting worse that tourists should be aware of, as according to news reports excursions are being disrupted and cancelled in some parts of the country. This seems to be a very volitile situation waiting to explode and threaten the usual peace and tranquility of the DR.

[coppersun2001]

Hi Kool
we just returned from the DR and things seem to be as they should, however I did hear of one incident in Cabarete that involved a tour bus being held up by men with bandanas over their faces. Nothing happened other that very scared folks on the bus. I was unable to confirm this with anyone else.

If Colleen or anyone know about this stuff please post it.
thanks

[Sosua Gal]

Boy for someone that lives here am I ever outta the loop!
Haven't heard anything else about strikes, but suffice to say that there are strong unions here and there are threats of strikes almost on a weekly basis by SOMEONE!
Koolkat- if any situation gets out of hand that tourists need to know by it is best to check on the Goverment of Canada's website...they always update if areas are unsafe to travel to and I can't remember a time (other than a Malaria scare in Ounta Cana a few years ago that was really exaggerated) that the DR was labeled unsafe as a tourist destination.