At a press conference yesterday, Dominican Medical Association (AMD) President Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero called upon President Fern?ndez to dialogue directly with them about their demands for a pay increase. He said Public Health Minister Altagracia Guzm?n Marcelino "is unqualified" to continue negotiating with the AMD, that they must deal directly with the President. He claimed that the Public Health Ministry (SESPAS) is only interested in dialogue when they wish to derail AMD "battle plan" to gain the salary raise. He said that if the current dialogue is not a trick, Minister Guzm?n Marcelino would have proved it at the bargaining table, "but with her attitude, she has done all the opposite." He said that the AMD will announce tomorrow its "battle plan" to force higher level talks on the raise demand. It is expected that the AMD actions will start with work stoppages in National District hospitals, although the AMD’s National Assembly has authorized the Executive Committee to invoke a full-fledged strike, lead marches on the National Palace and occupy airports, public offices and tourism spots.
