A major struggle is underway in Puerto Rico as a result of efforts there to solve the economic crisis on the backs of workers, especially unionized public sector employees. The New York City Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is organizing a press conference on the steps of City Hall in support of the labor movement in PR.
Join Councilman John Liu, Ed Ott and Bob Madore along with other electeds and union leaders. WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor will be attending as well. Please join us.
When: Wednesday June 17, 2009, 12:00 noon
Where: Steps of City Hall, New York City
Background: On March 4, 2009 Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno introduced Public Law 7 - The Special Law Declaring a State of Fiscal Emergency and Establishing a Comprehensive Plan to Stabilize the Economy and Save Puerto Rico’s Credit - and had it passed in both the Commonwealth’s House and Senate 2 days later.
Public Law 7 will:
a. Increase Puerto Rico’s already high unemployment rate by laying off thousands of public sector workers;
b. Undermine the role of unions as a path to the middle class by suspending all public sector collective bargaining and labor rights;
c. Deepen the current economic crisis by reducing the public sector productivity at a time when public needs are increasing.
In January 2009, a coalition of unions presented to Governor Fortuno a set of alternate proposals to address the economic crisis and in May of 2009, a delegation of New York Senators went to Puerto Rico to discuss the law’s impact on working people.
Join us and other New Yorkers as we call on the Governor of Puerto Rico to honor labor agreements and to allow workers to help address the economic crisis on the island.
For more information, contact Sonia Ivany, NYC LCLAA at 212-777-6040 or Beverley Brakeman, UAW Region 9A at 860-674-0143.
