Union member says calls for strike at PRASA are ill-timed

By The Star Staff

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) union leader Iván Vargas Muñiz described the statements made Wednesday by José “Cheito” Maldonado, the executive president of the Authentic Independent Union of Employees (UIA by its initials in Spanish), regarding a potential strike as “completely out of touch.”

“At a time when we have not seen any collective bargaining efforts between Triple A [PRASA] and the UIA, nor have any concerted actions been taken that would indicate a stalemate in negotiations, it is especially concerning that the president of the UIA would imply that the membership is willing to go on strike,” Vargas Muñiz, a former president of the Mayagüez Chapter of the UIA, said in a written statement. “The truth is that these statements are poorly timed.”

Vargas Muñiz suggested that the statements come just as a nomination assembly is approaching to select new union leadership, and that they might be an attempt to gain popularity.

“I believe the statements published in the press today reflect the fact that the UIA leadership knows they lack the support of union members and are trying to use distractions to attract followers,” the union leader added.

He acknowledged that while the Classification and Compensation Plan submitted to the Financial Oversight and Management Board does not meet the expectations of the union membership, it is equally true that the UIA has made no efforts to meet with the board to negotiate a fair classification and compensation plan that benefits the workers.

“It is regrettable that the president of the Water and Sewer Authority, Engineer Luis González, mentioned he received a letter from the union today requesting a meeting,” Vargas Muñiz said. “This clearly indicates that there is not a blockage in communication, but rather a lack of diligence on the part of the union in seeking meetings with the employer.”