Council 95 Gears Up for Crucial Battles in 2011
February 16, 2011
IN SOLIDARITY WITH PUERTO RICO – AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee A. Saunders receives a commemorative plaque from Council 95 President Annette González in recognition for his fight for Puerto Rico’s public service workers.
Photo Credit: Kevin Hanes
San Juan, Puerto Rico — Workers at Puerto Rico’s Departamento de la Familia (social services) came together to roll out their fight back plan in a Delegates Assembly in Guaynabo.
Members of Locals 3227 (administrative staff) and 3234 (technical and professional workers) of Servidores Públicos Unidos (SPU/AFSCME Council 95) are facing historic challenges: As of March 2011, all of the council’s collective bargaining contracts will expire. Renegotiation will be tough, not just because of the adverse economic climate but because of who will be sitting at the other end of the negotiation table. Ever since Gov. Luis Fortuño was sworn into office on January 2009, Puerto Rican workers have experienced the most relentless attack on their livelihoods.
Familia delegates were joined by AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Lee A. Saunders, who commended their efforts as a blueprint for our union’s battles across the country.
“AFSCME has learned a lot from Puerto Rico’s struggles and you’ve given all of us courage,” Saunders said.
Citing the success of SPU and other labor organizations in carrying out a one-day national strike during October 2009 (click here to see images), Saunders added: “There’s one thing I know about the members of SPU: You have the strength for every battle and the determination to fight as long as it takes.”
Gov. Fortuño’s enactment of a fiscal emergency law (known as Law 7) in March 2009 has enabled the layoffs of nearly 17,000 public employees. As part of a comprehensive plan to reduce the government’s $3.2 billion deficit, the law also mandated a two-year freeze on the economic clauses of all collective bargaining agreements, effectively depriving union members of raises, COLA increases and other improvements to their benefits won at the bargaining table. Law 7 is set to expire next month, along with the totality of SPU’s contracts.
While Council 95 is preparing a joint negotiation strategy with other public sector unions in the same situation, it has also revamped its communications offensive, launching a new publication (“Fuerza Sindical” or Union Strength) to reinforce contact with members, revamped its official website, and organized an army of volunteer member organizers.
Saunders also met with the Council 95 Executive Board and outlined the role the International will play in supporting SPU’s fight back efforts. On the occasion, Council 95 President Annette González and Vice President Braulio Torres, who is also an AFSCME International vice president, presented Saunders with a plaque recognizing his “commitment to our fight to preserve public service in Puerto Rico and to defend the democratic right of public employees.”
