The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO) has called a 24-hour [1] national strike at Ecopetrol production fields and refineries across Colombia.
The walkout threatens the operational stability of the state-owned oil company during a period of critical labor disputes. Because Ecopetrol manages the bulk of the country's hydrocarbon extraction and processing, any disruption in production fields can impact national energy supplies.
Martín Ravelo, president of the USO, said the action follows a breakdown in labor negotiations. The union said the decision comes after 25 days [3] of dialogue failed to produce a viable agreement between the workers and company management.
The strike focuses on demands for improved working conditions and a requirement that Ecopetrol comply with existing conventional agreements. Union leaders said the lack of progress in these negotiations left them with no other option than to halt operations.
The 24-hour [2] stoppage affects both the extraction sites where oil is pulled from the ground, and the refineries where it is processed into fuel. This coordinated effort across multiple locations is intended to pressure the company to return to the bargaining table with concrete offers.
USO representatives said the strike is a response to the company's inability to reach a consensus on labor terms. The union continues to seek guarantees that worker rights and safety standards are upheld in accordance with their contracts.
“The USO union announced a 24-hour national strike at Ecopetrol’s production sites and refineries.”
This strike highlights the ongoing tension between Colombia's state energy interests and its labor force. By targeting both production fields and refineries, the USO is leveraging Ecopetrol's integrated supply chain to maximize economic pressure. If the 24-hour stoppage does not lead to a breakthrough, it may serve as a precursor to more prolonged industrial action that could jeopardize Colombia's oil export targets and domestic fuel stability.
