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SANTIAGO.- Despite recognition from CUT president, Arturo Martínez, that Minister of Finance, Andrés Velasco "is a good negotiator", he also added that he continues to view the Secretary of State as "a right-winged, neo-liberal that fancies macroeconomics and doesn't think much about social aspects".
During an interview with Channel 13, the leader maintained that the 6.9% salary increase for public workers was achieved because "the government was having a tough time with negotiations, there were a lot of slip-ups during the week with Transantiago, with the budget project, (the Minister of Finance) was tired, he didn't want another defeat".
Regarding whether or not he was happy with the agreement, the leader pointed out that, "none of the organizations ended up happy, or satisfied".
Finally, the CUT president indicated that the movement was never split, because their on-going negotiations with the government "were part of a strategy discussed by everyone at the CUT".