Thousands of Public Workers Have Joined the Teacher Protest in Puerto Rico

Recent comments made by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi have caused outrage among public workers.

Thousands of public workers joined a protest called “La Gran Marcha de la Indignación” on Wednesday to demand fair salaries and pensions.

The protest started last week with teachers, and now thousands of public employees, including firefighters, police officers, nurses, paramedics, and forensic science employees, have joined the march headed to La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion. 

The outrage of public workers has increased in recent days in response to recent comments made by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi.

On Monday, when he announced a $1,000 salary increase for teachers, Pierluisi said categorically, “Don’t let it happen again,” referring to the absence of 70% of public school teachers last Friday, who were striking to demand higher salaries, improved working conditions, and better pensions.

When the governor was asked if he would also satisfy police officers and firefighters’ demands for a fair salary, Pierluisi answered, “No one here is required to be neither a policeman nor a firefighter, but whoever dedicates himself to that vocation has to assume this great responsibility.”

These statements caused collective outrage, but far from retracting on Tuesday, Pierluisi maintained his position.

“That is exactly the message that must be told to everyone,” Pierluisi told Noticentro al amanecer.

​​Public workers have responded today with signs that say “Insensitive. Arrogant” and “Today my class is about dignity, and it’s [being taught] in the street.”

While the march is taking place, the Department of Education announced that the $1,000 monthly increase will also apply to school principals, regional superintendents, and teacher facilitators.

The increase announced by Pierluisi comes from federal ESSER funds, which will be available until September 2024. The governor said that it is expected that the government will be able to make the raise permanent.