Puerto Rico teachers suspend strike
Public school teachers voted Wednesday to suspend a 10-day strike in the U.S. Caribbean island that shuttered classrooms and sparked clashes between protesters and police. About 10,000 teachers nearly unanimously approved the recommendation of their union's leadership to suspend the weakening strike, which began Feb. 20 after 30 months of negotiations with the U.S. territory's government fell through. Teachers are seeking pay raises and better working conditions, including more books, computers and other materials. Teachers Federation chief Rafael Feliciano, addressing union members packed inside a San Juan stadium, said he would keep pressing the government to meet their demands and warned a work stoppage could resume. Feliciano did not announce new deadlines for meeting demands. The government had refused to resume contract negotiations until the walkout ended. It also successfully decertified the union last week in court, arguing that the strike was illegal. The union is appealing the ruling. Education Secretary Rafael Aragunde did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday. Earlier this week, he vowed that teachers would not face disciplinary action for participating in the strike. Puerto Rican public school teachers earn a starting annual salary of $19,200—lower than in any U.S. state.
Source: Associated Press, 3/5/08, By Danica Coto
[Editor’s Note: According to the report below, Mr. Feliciano had declared that his members would disregard the court ruling, which backed a decision by government officials to decertify the union over the walkout.]
Source: PR-Inside.com, 3/3/08, By Associated Press