The workers of the state telecom, ICE have joined the national strike today by teachers of the APSE and municipal workers, all without notice or fanfare. The doors to the ICE agencies are closed, no one can get a new telephone line or make changes to the existing. No, it is a day rest for ICE workers, as if they don’t have enough already.

Odd is that, during the live television broadcasts and photo ops by various print media, there was not one yellow shirt – the symbol worn by ICE workers in past protests – to be seen anywhere.

So, why are the ICE agencies closed today?

The INS is open. The AyA is open. So are many other, like ICE, state institutions.

It has been known for a long time and by most in Costa Rica that ICE workers are one of the laziest (there are other descriptions, but lets stay with this one) and opportunistic bunch to join in any type of protest or strike that gives them the day off.

It will be interesting to see if this attitude will continue, if and when, the competition finally arrives. I say if, for although the law was changed to allow for an open telecommunications market and a regulator was set up and operating, ICE continues to be the only cellular operator in the country and will be for more time than it was imagined by most.