The Panama Canal has signed a new collective agreement with the Union of Captains and Deck Officers (UCOC), an agreement that will extend for seven years, until 2033. The pact aims to reinforce productivity and efficiency in operations, marking a key point in labor relations within the interoceanic route. The agreement establishes a progressive salary adjustment of 3.5% annually between 2027 and 2033, as well as improvements in negotiation processes for future agreements. The Special Additional Compensation and the Pilotage Compensation were also updated, with annual increases of 2% between 2029 and 2033 for workers in the Navigation Channel Maintenance Division. The agreement includes a new provision for FE-15 tugboat captains, which contemplates a 14-hour rest period after high-risk or complex operations, pending the corresponding legal procedures. The administrator of the Canal, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, recognized the joint work between the union and management to achieve this understanding. With this step, both parties reaffirm their commitment to labor stability and the continuous operation of the Canal.
