******** UPDATE ON PUERTO RICO LABOR REFORM ********
*** Please send a fax today * Information below ****
The labor movement in Puerto Rico has declared a mayor offensive
against the government's so-called "Labor Reform" in this
Caribbean island.
The Labor Organizations Committee(*) held an important delegate's
Assembly on July 22 to protest labor law amendments approved by
the government which drastically reduce workers' rights. Some
1,200 delegates from 50 unions participated in the Assembly and
unanimously approved a vote for a general strike, the date of
which has not been publicly announced. This ratifies an earlier
(June 25) general strike vote approved by 150 labor leaders.
>>(*) The Labor Organizations Committee is a union umbrella group
which includes the 3 union federations in Puerto Rico as well as
independent unions. The 3 federations are:
-Concilio General de Trabajadores (Workers' General Council)
-Central Puertorriquen~a de Trabajadores (Puerto Rican Workers'
Central)
-Federacion del Trabajo (AFL-CIO)
The Assembly ratified an 18-month work plan which includes
protests against the governor, legislators, tourist hotels and
big business in general, which has been behind the so-called
"Labor Reform". Both the governor and anti-labor legislators have
been targeted by the labor movement for a militant campaign
against their reelection in 1996. Among the goals of the campaign
are the repeal of the anti-worker legislation recently approved
and to halt the attack on workers' rights. Labor is also
demanding amendments to Puerto Rico's Employee Dismissal Law to
include the rehiring of unjustly fired workers.
The delegates also approved various resolutions, including one
that labels the government and the principal business
associations as *enemies of the working people* The main
associations so branded are:
-Manufacturer's Association
-Chamber of Commerce
-Banker's Association
-Hospital's Association
-Hotelier's Association
-Food Importation and Distributor's Association
Among other actions announced, labor leaders have publicly said
they will call for consumer boycotts against products from
notoriously anti-labor business.
******** BACKGROUND ********
On february 1994 the government unveiled it's "New Economic
Model", which basically stated that increased economic
"productivity" and "competitiveness" in Puerto Rico would be
achieved by:
* Economic deregulation
* Increased business incentives
* Privatization of public services
Based on this "new" model, the Senate Special Committee on
Economic Regulation issued a report on march 1995 recommending
legislation to amend or eliminate labor laws. Among the
recommendations of the committee were:
* Establish "flexitime" work schedules and limit overtime
compensation.
* Limit lunch breaks to 30 minutes, and to 20 minutes for some
categories of workers.
* Abolishing the (already limitted) Sunday Closing Law, to
eliminate overtime compensation for work on Sundays.
* Limit maternity leave benefits.
* Duplicate new employee's trial periods.
* Limit vacation and sick leave.
* Eliminate the Minimum Wage Board to guarantee that no minimum
wage in any industry is set higher than the federal minimum wage.
* Reduce paid holidays.
* Limit judicial claims by workers for unpaid salaries and
benefits.
The so-called "Labor Reform" has been sharply rejected by a
mayority of sectors in Puerto Rico, including the labor movement,
the Catholic and Episcopal churches, the Puerto Rican Bar
Association, civic and women's organizations, as well as the
island's two opposition parties. Only the governing New
Progressive Party and business associations have backed the
labor-law amendments in the name of "globalization" and increased
"competitiveness" for the mainly U.S. corporations and hotels
established in Puerto Rico.
Despite such opposition, on July 20th. the governor signed into
law two of the controversial "Labor Reform" proyects:
* Amending the Minimum Wage Board Law.
* Establishing so-called "flexitime" work schedules, limiting
overtime compensation resulting from such arrangements and
reducing lunch breaks to 30 minutes except for nurses, croupiers
and guards, for whom a 20 minute break is possible. Workers who
do not "voluntarily" enter "flexitime" agreements could be
subject to work split-shifts. Hardest hit by these amendments are
working women with children, a vast mayority of whom do not have
child-care facilities.
Besides "Labor Reform" the government abolished a 50-year old law
which provided rent control procedures, as part of its
"deregulation" campaign. It is expected that tens of thousands of
poor and working class families will be hard hit by abusive rent
hikes in the next months.
****** YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP!!! ******
As indicated in a previous posting on this issue we are fully
aware that the battle against "Labor Reform" must be fought and
won in Puerto Rico. However,international solidarity is
*extremely* important to us... Dr. Pedro Rossello, Puerto Rico's
Governor, is very sensitive to any kind of international
pressure, as his "new" economic plan depends on U.S. and other
foreign investment as well as increased tourism to the island.
Any indication that his anti-worker's actions are known and
rejected internationally will no doubt benefit our struggle.
As soon as labor leaders establish which products and companies
will be boycotted we will inform the international community and
ask for such assistance as it is possible.
In the meantime, we ask that you to fax Puerto Rico's governor a
short letter on your organization's letterhead stationery.
Explain who you are and make your concern known. Particularly
important to us are messages from labor unions, churches, women's
organizations, professional and other groups. Mainland Puerto
Ricans are specially encouraged to send a fax.
WE URGE YOU TO ACT NOW. The next two months (August and
September) will be a critical time for our struggle.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE OTHER GROUPS TO SEND A FAX. Your solidarity at
this time could help tip the balance in favor of worker's rights
in Puerto Rico.
FAXES should be sent to:
Dr. Pedro Rossello
Governor of Puerto Rico
(809) 723-1064
with copy to:
Prof. Renan Soto
Coordinator
Labor Organizations Committee
(809) 250-8074
>>>> Please E-mail copy of your message to:
cquiros@igc.apc.org
*********************** SAMPLE FAX *********************
Dr. Pedro Rossello
Governor of Puerto Rico
Dear Sir:
We wish to express our deepest concern over the "Labor Reform"
legislation recently approved by your government. Though we
understand your interest in developing Puerto Rico's economy,
please be assured that increased productivity and economic
competitiveness will not be achieved by curtailing workers'
rights. On the contrary, limiting these rights could easily have
a damaging effect on Puerto Rico's international reputation as
well as an adverse effect on economic development and tourism.
This will no doubt happen if the public and international opinion
is that the Puerto Rican government has officially adopted an
openly anti-labor position. A general strike by Puerto Rican
workers will surely have this effect. We believe that only the
full exercise of workers' rights, as well as their legal
protection can guarantee economic development. For this reason,
we support the demands that are being unanimously raised by the
Puerto Rican labor movement.
We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Puerto Rico's
labor leaders and to seriously consider repealing the recently
approved labor law amendments for the benefit of all in your
island.
Cordially,
Your Name and Organization
CC:Prof. Renan Soto
Coordinator
Labor Organizations Committee
******************************************************
For more information, E-mail to: cquiros@igc.apc.org
Carlos Quiros
Instituto Laboral de Educacion Sindical