Any word on the Judge's Strike?

My social worker also confirmed that the courts/judges are striking everywhere except in Cali and Medellin. However, I haven't had a chance to get online (only here during nap time...short naps this week!) and check out the news directly coming from Colombia - though our agency did hear it from their rep in country. I'm not sure what the impact is for those of us waiting on ICBF approval when a strike like this happens. Of course, I'm pretty ready to receive that approval and move on the next stage. :(

Megan, would the strike affect getting your ICBF approval? It seems like it would only affect the people who are already in Colombia waiting on their adoptions to be finalized. I hope for your sake it won't slow you down any!

The judges' strike is still on, and it appears to affect much of the country. Certainly the courts in Bogot are at a standstill. Our adoption has been in process for about 2 weeks, and we have been told that nothing else can happen until the strike resolves. I'm not certain if there are later steps (such as obtaining the birth certificate, etc.) that are still possible at the moment. But definitely no sentencias are being issued. By the way, the name of the judges' union is Asonal. Try a search with this term at Google News, though you may not find much in English. Here's the news today from Caracol: [url=http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=667051]Los trabajadores judiciales no levantarსn el paro[/url] My Spanish isn't perfect, but the gist seems to be this: The union leaders had a meeting with the "fiscal general" (secretary of the treasury?) and the presidents of the four high courts. The fiscal general agrees that the judges' demands have merit, but they urge the strike to end. The union representative says, "las mesas de trabajo entre el gobierno y los trabajadores judiciales para examinar sus peticiones salariales se pueden realizar pero sin levantar el paro." Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand this to mean "The work groups (i.e. negotiations?) between the government and the judicial workers, in order to examine their petitions on salary, can be carried out, but without lifting the strike." Also, the union leader says that the strike is being extended to Armenia, Antioquia (i.e. Medelln), and the "eje cafetera" (which I assume includes Cali, Manizales, Pereira, etc.). I'm not sure what to make of this. Probably strikes are different in Colombia than in the US, but generally I would take this kind of news coverage to mean that a resolution is near. If the two sides were dug in and refusing to negotiate, I don't think you'd hear their representatives saying these things. On the other hand, I wouldn't think the union would escalate the strike to new areas if a deal were imminent.

Thanks for the update. I was just praying today for families today who were in Colombia waiting out the strike. I doubt that you can get the birth certificate at this time because for our first two adoptions we had to have the court decree declaring our children to have our last names in order to get the new birth certificate. I hope for your family, and the many others who are waiting, that it passes quickly!

Well, I am stuck here waiting out the strike while my maternity leave clock ticks down. The latest is that the Halifax (where I am staying) has informed me that I can't stay past 9-30. (?!?!?! - even without the strike we would not have been done by then.) So, I need to find a new hotel. I'm not very happy about this move by the Halifax. Has anyone stayed at other places (ex, Zuetana)? Any advice?

I have been looking into lots of hotels and apartments so I can get an idea of cost. Here are some great ones I have found: [url=http://lancasterhouse.com.co/ingles/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/]www.Lancasterhouse.com.co English Version - Home[/url] [url=http://www.corasuites.com/CoraSP/HOME.aspx]Bogota apartments, apartments Bogota, apartment in Bogota, rental apartments in Bogota, rental apartment in Bogota, furnished apartments in Bogota, furnished apartment in Bogota, Cora Suites[/url] [url]https://www.bogotacasa.com/?gclid=CMKNuaTqsZUCFSJIagodCVhqPw[/url] [url=http://www.checkin.se/bogota/]Accommodation Apartments Bogota Apartment - checkin.se[/url] [url=http://www.ventus-suites.com/en/mobiliario.html]VENTUS suites[/url] [url=http://www.fernandosuites.com/in/index_in.html]:: Fernando Suites ::[/url] I hope this gets resolved for you soon!! I will keep you in my thoughts!

[url]http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=667824[/url] La Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (apparently some kind of labor union) has gotten into the act, calling for a sympathy strike/demonstration today.

[url=http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/justicia/2008-09-10/no-se-les-pagara-a-empleados-que-participan-en-paro-judicial-dice-consejo-superior-de-la-judicatura_4521858-1]Principales noticias de Colombia y el mundo - ELTIEMPO.COM -> No se les pagar a empleados que participan en paro judicial, dice Consejo Superior de la Judicatura[/url] Interesting article from El Tiempo today. A government official says that the strikers will not be paid for the time they are off work. Also, he says that the strike will be declared illegal (by whom is unclear): "se va a declarar la ilegalidad del paro". I'm not sure what it means to declare a strike illegal, though, if it is the arbiters of the law themselves who are in violation of the law.

BeaDaddy & BeaMommy, how are you doing? Any word from your agency representatives regarding their take on how long the strike will last? I am finally having time to check out El Tiempo (I have limited internet for the week), but I have been thinking of you as you wait out the strike. Megan

[url=http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/justicia/2008-09-14/juzgados-volveran-al-trabajo-el-lunes-luego-de-lograr-preacuerdo-con-el-gobierno_4528408-1]Principales noticias de Colombia y el mundo - ELTIEMPO.COM -> Juzgados volvern al trabajo el lunes luego de lograr preacuerdo con el Gobierno[/url] It's late and I haven't made sure I understand every word of this article, but the gist seems to be this: 1. Judges in criminal courts are returning to work at 8:00 am Monday. 2. The judges' union and the government begin negotiations at 2:00 pm Monday, and these meetings will continue until an agreement is reached. As for how we're doing: I think about as well as could be expected considering that we've been apart for nearly two weeks, and we're dependent on the news media and rumors from other adoptive families for all of our information about what is going on with the strike. We're basically on our own. Other than our dealings with our adoption agency's representative in Bogot (who is nice but has not been able to say anything substantial about the strike), we have not heard a word from the agency. That's just as well, actually, because when we had other problems with the process before, our agency proved to be worse than useless. :coffee:

BeaMommy, why is the Halifax giving you the boot? That just seems crazy to me. Anyway, we stayed at Zuetana while we were in Colombia. At first we were at Zuetana 93 which is just around the corner from the Halifax. It is definitely the smallest of the 4 Zuetana hotels, but the staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. We still keep in touch with some of them. We ended up switching to Zuetana 108 because we could get a larger room there. We liked it there as well, but there were not very many other adoptive families there, so it was a bit lonely. Zuetana 106 is where most adopting families stay. It's a nice B&B and is within walking distance to lots of shops/restaurants. That would be my recommendation. :) We're thinking of you/praying for you and hoping that the judge's strike ends VERY SOON!

Thanks for the updates... I understood the latest article in El Tiempo in the exact same way when I read it, however, I was wondering about the court system and why only the criminal courts are returning to work on Monday? Is the family court conisdered a part of the criminal court system? I wouldn't think so (at least not in America - though I don't know anything about law). I'm praying they all reach an agreement right away Monday! Hang in there!

I'd recommend Betty's Place. I just got back from a great stay there! :prop:

[url=http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/justicia/2008-09-16/ARTICULO-WEB-PLANTILLA_NOTA_INTERIOR-4531872.html]Principales noticias de Colombia y el mundo - ELTIEMPO.COM -> Paro judicial continuar mientras sindicato estudia propuesta salarial del Gobierno[/url] Monday is my 12 hour workday, so I'm too worn out to attempt a complete translation. Here's the money quote, though: "Despus de una reuniᩳn con el Gobierno Nacional y el Consejo Superior de la Judicatura, el sindicato de jueces y fiscales, Asonal Judicial, decidi que estudiar la propuesta del Ministerio del Interior. La respuesta se dar㡡 el mircoles o a ms tardar el pr顳ximo viernes cuando se vuelvan a encontrar las partes." "After a meeting with the national government and the Judicial Supreme Court, the union of judges and prosecutors, Asonal, decided that it will study the proposal of the Minister of the Interior. The response will be given Wednesday, or at the latest this Friday when the parties return to meet again." Is there a smiley with the tongue stuck out? :coffee: