A 'Drunkards' Strike' Shuts Down Bolivia

[Pat McCotter]

I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in panic like his passengers.

A 'Drunkards' Strike' Shuts Down Bolivia
  By JEAN FRIEDMAN-RUDOVSKY / LA PAZ Jean Friedman-rudovsky / La Paz   – Thu Mar 4, 12:10 pm ET

If there's anything worse than a drunk driver, it might be a drunk mass transit driver with passengers in his care. Sadly, this phenomenon has become common in Bolivia, and so after a few particularly deadly accident-filled months, President Evo Morales has issued a zero-tolerance policy for offenders, including lifetime license revocation on the first DUI offense, vehicle confiscation, fines and eventual closure of transport companies whose drivers are caught under the influence. Those drivers and their parent companies say the measures have gone too far and on Wednesday initiated a two-day work stoppage. What quickly became known as "the Drunkards' Strike" paralyzed the Andean nation.

"This is about defending life and we aren't going to change one comma of this decree," said Bolivia's Minister of Government Sacha Llorenti after the transport workers announced their strike. Ground transportation in Bolivia is covered by collectives and private companies who hire drivers to operate minibuses (each capable of carrying 14 passengers) and buses for transport within and between the country's villages and cities. These tens of thousands of drivers and vehicle owners were outraged by Morales' decision (previously, the penalties were imposed on a three-strikes-and-you're-out system). These transportistas, as they are known, not only refused to work, but also blocked major roadways.
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