Puerto Rico: UAW Members Continue the Fight Against Freezing the Minimum Wage

On Thursday, UAW joined other unions and community organizations for a rally to continue the fight back against the effort to effectively freeze the minimum wage in Puerto Rico. The proposed House Bill 1115 would eliminate the Minimum Wage Evaluation Commission, composed of academics, experts, and representatives from different sectors who have the power to review the minimum wage every two years, and thus prevent future wage increases.

Emilio Nieves from the Central Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores (CPT) spoke at the rally about the importance of the minimum wage for collective bargaining processes. “Defending the minimum wage is everyone’s responsibility, because all workers in Puerto Rico deserve a fair wage that allows them to live. Thanks to increases in the minimum wage, better conditions for collective bargaining have been achieved,” he said. “Eliminating this Commission would be handing over the right to live with dignity to others. We will continue to take to the streets and demonstrate in front of the Capitol building to defend this Commission and its continued existence.”

Supporters announced the next rally taking place next Thursday at 4 PM at the Capitolio. “We need jobs with decent wages so we don't have to leave the country, and PC 1115 dismantles the mechanisms for progress toward wage justice,” said Chrys Marie Cuencas Alamo, a student at the University of Puerto Rico. “That's why we're taking to the streets on June 11.” Read more news coverage in Spanish.