Thursday, Oct. 15, government strikers shut down the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, leaving it empty, but the government district of Old San Juan was crowded with peaceful demonstrators, reported several news medias. In a rally protesting against Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño’s decision to cut nearly 17,000 government employees. Bishops, government employees, graphic artist and other workers protest on the decision to eliminate lower tier jobs such as janitors, school counselors, etc. instead of top salary personnel accusing government of class bias. The decision of cutting workers instead of reducing hours is due to a $3.2 billion deficit in this U.S. territory. The employment cut raises fears of an unemployment rate of 17 percent in a territory where over 20 percent of employees work for the government. Adding more pain and disappointment to a 4th year recession where new government has not been able to keep election promises and some accuse of lack of compassion by firing lower paid workers. [To read more see link below.]
Puerto Rico Unions Protest Job Cuts
New York Times – 13 hours ago
MIAMI – Thousands of Puerto Rican union members gathered Thursday in a financial district outside San Juan to protest the government’s plan …
UPDATE 1-Puerto Rico strikers shut down center of San Juan Reuters
Puerto Rican workers protest cuts United Press International
CNN International - The Associated Press - Free Speech Radio News - Wikipedia: Puerto Rico
Be careful, Margie. Demonstrations can become violent in a second. You take care of yourself.