The Autonomous Petroleum Drivers Union (SACTPA) is threatening to go on strike next Thursday if gasoline distributors don’t increase their salaries. The union wants RD$35,000 a month wages for drivers with one to three years of service; RD$40,000 for four years of experience; RD$45,000 for four to six years experience; RD$50,000 for eight years experience and RD$55,000 for 10 years experience. Union head Clemente Morillo says that Esso, Texaco, Shell and Isla have a monopoly on fuel distribution and says they don’t want to enter into a wage increase dialogue. Morillo called on Industry and Commerce Minister Melanio Perez and Labor Minister Jose Ramon Fadul to urge the distributors to begin discussions.