Puerto Rico – Members Negotiate Solid Three-Year Contracts

Following a momentous win regaining collective bargaining rights for the thousands of AFSCME members represented by the Servidores Públicos Unidos (SPU) of Puerto Rico, three units successfully negotiated three-year agreements with the government.

Puerto Rico workers were stripped of their collective bargaining rights before similar attacks throughout the U.S. Council 95 and the national union fought back last year and regained those rights.

Council 95 has been actively negotiating new contracts with the state agencies. “The passage of these agreements marks a significant win for the workers of Puerto Rico, but should also serve as an example that when you fight you win,” said Annette González Pérez, president of Council 95.

In recent months, worker’s rehabilitation administration unit employees, who are members of Local 3251, approved a three-year contract providing for wage increases, bonuses and modest increases in employer health care contributions. Local 3584, representing the parole board, unanimously ratified the three-year agreement including bonuses and wage increases. Local 2099, representing the Institute of Forensic Sciences, ratified another three-year agreement that offered similar benefits to the parole board agreement.

“We remain positive but vigilant in our fight to pursue justice for all members of SPU – workers deserve no less,” González Pérez said.