For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Puerto Rico’s Labor Leaders Stage Sit-in at the Islands’ Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC —Top union officials affiliated with AFSCME, SEIU, UAW and UFCW are currently occupying the Office of Management and Budget offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico, protesting Gov. Luis Fortuño’s proposed layoff of more than 20,000 workers.
Riot police have surrounded the OMB offices. AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee issued the following statement: “AFSCME joins other unions in supporting our brothers and sisters in San Juan who are fighting during this serious economic crisis to protect Puerto Rico’s vital public services. We are very concerned that riot police have surrounded the building. We urge restraint on the part of law enforcement officials during this peaceful protest.”
