Chavez Stalled In Bid To Seize Venezuela Food Firm

[naaman fletcher]

Juan Tacoa, head of one of the two unions at Polar's warehouses in Barquisimeto, says the workers oppose the president. Tacoa says workers in nationalized companies have fared badly — unable to bargain collectively and seeing their wages slashed.

Tacoa had once supported Chavez. But he, like other workers, says Polar provides good wages and benefits.

Chavez has reacted angrily to Tacoa. He has called Polar's union leaders lackeys of the rich.

"Who are they defending? Those who exploit the people, the bourgeoisie," he said.

Robert Bottome, the American-born editor of Veneconomia, a Caracas business journal, says the opposite is true.

"It sounds corny, but this is a company which has been treating its workers right for 70 years and it's been treating its customers right for 70 years," he says.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128695640

[Wilms]

1. At least Businessweek reported what the issues are.

NPR probably gets some funding from the Pentagon psy-ops dept.


Granted, that Polar officials won't comment in this piece either is a comment.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9FSQ6P00.htm