Washington, DC - SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger released the following statement today in support of more than 17,000 workers who are an essential part of Puerto Rico's social safety net in the areas of education, healthcare, and social services:

Governor Fortu̱o was elected one year ago to serve all of the people of Puerto Rico, not just the wealthy and the well off. While yesterday's decision marks a tremendous step forward, we cannot and will not allow this administration to persist in balancing its budget on the backs of hardworking women and men, many of whom are struggling to survive this economic crisis.

"Over the past month, the voices of a few thousand workers have grown into a movement of hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens, clergy, university students, and labor leaders. Together, we are fighting not just to ensure the livelihoods of thousands of working families, but to hold Governor Fortu̱o accountable for creating an economy that works for everyone in Puerto Rico."

BACKGROUND:

In late September, Republican Governor Luis Fortu̱o announced drastic plans to layoff these workers and cut 10% of the workforce across schools, hospitals, clinics, and senior centers.

Puerto Rico's working families won a key victory yesterday as a Puerto Rican court granted SEIU's petition to stop the termination of 6,000 workers and the Fortu̱o administration postponed the majority of layoffs until early January in light of growing public protests. However, more than 2,700 women and men are still scheduled to lose their jobs this Friday, November 6.

National vigils on behalf of the workers are scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday November 4, throughout the island.

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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