Costa Rica Unions In Protest March Today http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/may/01/costarica11050101.htm

Today is May 1 and in Costa Rica and as in many Latin American countries, it is known as May Day, the day when the government gives an account of the work of the past year and the traditional Dia del Trabajador (Labour Day). Planned for today is a march by members of the various labour unions in Costa Rica from the Parque La Merced (west end Avenida 2) at 9pm to the Asamblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly) building to the east.The march to protest salaries and other labour related problems facing public and private sector workers.

Later on in the day, probably around 7pm, after the Saprissa game ends, presidenta Laura Chinchilla will address the deputies of the Legislature - and the nation - to give her report of her achievements in her first year of office.Traditionally the president's report starts around 5pm. But, not to be overshadowed by the Saprissa game, the Legislative Assembly announced some delays (without mention of the reason) of the start of today's presidential address.

This May 1 in particular is an important one for the Chinchilla administration and the country as a whole, as a bloc of opposition legislators have banded together in a quick agreement to take control of the chairmanship of the Legislature away from the Partido Liberacion Nacional (PLN), the ruling party. On May 1 each year legislators vote on a new chairman for the coming 12 months. Up for re-election is Luis Gerardo Villanueva. If Villanueva is not re-elected, the control of power of the legislature will shit to the opposition, which experts say will make it much harder for the government to push through key legislation.