Government & Politics

WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The following is a statement from Change to Win chair Anna Burger regarding the Fiscal Stabilization Plan proposed by Puerto Rico's Governor Fortuno.

"The Fiscal Stabilization Plan that Gov. Fortuno seeks to implement in Puerto Rico will have devastating consequences throughout the Island, not only for the 30,000 workers whose jobs will be eliminated but also for every Puerto Rican who relies on critical services provided by the state government. Rather than solve the current fiscal challenge, the Stabilization Plan may lead to a deeper recession and increased unemployment and thereby create new social and economic problems that will negatively impact the Puerto Rican people and must be stopped.

"The AFL-CIO and Change to Win strongly oppose privatization of vital public services and call on the Governor to ensure that collective bargaining and other labor rights for workers are protected. We, together with the Puerto Rico locals in our federations, are willing to work with the Administration to help solve the crisis if the Governor is open to modifying the Plan to prevent what we believe to be the destructive effects that Public Law 7 and privatization would have on all working families in Puerto Rico. This economic crisis cannot and must not be solved on the backs of Puerto Rican workers. These workers are already bearing a disproportionate burden and, quite frankly, are the best hope for solving the crisis."

About Change to Win
Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

SOURCE Change to Win