Puerto Rico – Building Strength through Bargaining and Organizing

Just over one year after collective bargaining was restored to Puerto Rico’s public service workers, approximately 13,500 employees represented by Servidores Públicos Unidos (SPU)/AFSCME Council 95 are working under contracts that improved their wages, on average, 5 to 9 percent per year in each of three years, plus better benefits and working conditions.

“This is an achievement of major proportions,” said Council 95 Pres. Annette González. “Some people were betting that we would not get our goals done, and they were wrong.”

Fourteen SPU/AFSCME unions have ratified agreements with the U.S. Commonwealth since December 2011. All provide bonuses in the first year, followed by wage hikes in the second year of $100 to $140 monthly. In the third year of the agreement, wages will increase by another $100 to $160 monthly. Also, the Commonwealth has agreed to increase its contributions to workers’ health insurance and other benefits.

Council 95’s success in bargaining follows its hard-fought battle to restore collective bargaining rights, which were lost in March 2009 when Gov. Luis Fortuño enacted a fiscal emergency law. More than 17,000 public employees also were laid off. But the workers fought back over the next two years, reclaiming their bargaining rights in May 2011.

Also, more than 1,400 retired public employees recently signed up for automatic dues deduction following a joint organizing campaign between AFSCME Retirees and (SPU)/AFSCME.

“We are encouraged by the outpouring of support,” adds Gonzalez. “More than ever, people on the island understand that we must pull together and stand united against the politics of destruction coming out of this government.”

 “I am pleased that so many of my sisters and brothers have chosen to join us in the fight for the working middle class on our precious island,” said Blanca Paniagua, retiree chapter president of SPU/AFSCME.