UPR Workers Union confirms 24-hour strike after Ferrao rejects proposal

David Muñoz, president of the University of Puerto Rico Workers Union (UPR Workers Union)

By The Star Staff

University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Workers Union President David Muñoz, announced Tuesday that the 24-hour strike scheduled for today will remain in place after UPR President Luis Ferrao Delgado, did not accept a proposal for solutions negotiated between union representatives and the central administration.

“The proposal was worked on between yesterday and today, proposing solutions to our claims,” Muñoz said in a written statement. “If it had been accepted by the president, we would have suspended tomorrow’s strike.”

During the talks, the administration was represented by attorney Hiram Carlo and Dr. Mayra Cruz, special assistant to Ferrao, while the union was represented by Muñoz.

The proposal, rejected by the administration, established three main points, concerning medical coverage reinstatement, sourcing of a one-time payment to the union and a revised date of payment, and conditions of suspension of the strike.

Muñoz reiterated that the strike is due to the administration’s failure to comply with the agreements signed on Sept. 3, which ended a previous strike. Among the pending points are the salary increase to $10.50 per hour, effective and retroactive to July 1 of this year, the one-time payment of $3,500 in December, the permanent appointment of workers and the reinstatement of the medical plan as of Dec. 1.

The strike called for today will impact the facilities of the UPR central administration of the UPR and the participation of about 1,000 maintenance and physical plant employees is expected.