The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its affiliate the Puerto Rican Workers Union (SPT) condemned the anti-immigration policies and attacks on the health system by the US president, Republican Donald Trump.
This is how they expressed themselves during the convention of their Latino Caucus held in Puerto Rico, in which the SEIU also supported the possibility of a strike in the Department of Education.
“We defend the rights of the Latino and migrant community, which is why we strongly condemn the anti-immigrant policies of President Donald Trump’s administration,” Jaime Contreras, president of the Latino Caucus, said in a statement.
Contreras also criticized “the attacks on the health system, working families, democracy and the international violence that is fomenting against the Latin American people.”
«Our Latino Caucus represents the best of SEIU and reflects the power of collective work, solidarity and unity. We have built this power to overcome these dark times,” said Rocío Sáenz, secretary-treasurer of SEIU.
Sáenz denounced the colonial relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico, which is a Commonwealth, and demanded “a more solid infrastructure” for the island.
During the Latino Caucus convention, the SEIU expressed solidarity with the workers of the Department of Education, especially with those who work for the subcontracted company Xpert’s, who are preparing to approve a strike vote due to the employer’s lack of will in the collective bargaining negotiations.
It should be noted that since October 14, work has begun to hold assemblies throughout the country so that employees can approve a strike vote.
«In Puerto Rico, thousands of workers face precarious conditions and employers who refuse to recognize their value. This international meeting shows that we are not alone; SEIU’s support amplifies our voice and our strength,” said Israel Marrero Calderín, president of the SPT.
Marrero Calderín, also international vice president of SEIU, stressed that the celebration of this convention in Puerto Rico reaffirms SEIU’s commitment to “the causes defended by the union movement in Puerto Rico.”
During the SEIU Latino Caucus convention, the election of its new international board took place, including the presidency, co-presidency, secretary, treasurer and other leadership positions.
Also present at the event and condemning Trump’s policies were April Verrett, international president of SEIU; David Huerta, president of SEIU-USWW in California; and Elsa Flores president of SEIU Texas, among others.
