UNION BUSTING IN PUERTO RICO

New Action/UFT also urges all delegates to support the resolution on Puerto Rican teachers. We are proud to have initiated this resolution at the UFT Executive Board. Puerto Rican governor Fortuno has fired the entire leadership of the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation (FMPR). The teaching licenses of the FMPR leadership have been permanently revoked.

Governor Fortuño is out to destroy the teachers’ union in Puerto Rico much like Governor Walker in Wisconsin and Bloomberg in New York City. An injury to one is an injury to all!

Motion: Resolution in Support of Puerto Rican Teachers Federation Leadership

WHEREAS, the entire leadership of the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation (FMPR) were fired from their teaching positions; and

WHEREAS, the teaching licenses of the FMPR leadership were permanently revoked; and

WHEREAS, the Government has taken repressive measures with the goal of destroying the unions and intimidating the teachers from struggling against the current administration’s plans to privatize the schools and liquidate the teachers retirement fund; and

WHEREAS, Governor Fortuño of Puerto Rico is out to destroy the teachers’ union much like Governor Walker of Wisconsin is out to destroy collective bargaining for public workers in this state; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT express our solidarity with the Puerto Rican Teachers Federation; and be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT inform Governor Fortuño that we oppose his repressive measures and stand with the FMPR in solidarity.

March 2011