Thousands of impassioned Puerto Rican public employees took to the streets of Old San Juan with air horns, whistles, pots and pans on Wednesday to demand wage increases and better pensions. In response, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi (D) told the press that he promises to raise the annual salaries of firefighters in Puerto Rico by $12,000 starting in July.
The march began at 8:00 a.m. in Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera and ended in front of the governor’s mansion in Old San Juan.
On Monday, the territory’s public school teachers received a temporary salary increase after staging a walk out three days prior. But when the firefighter’s union requested a similar increase in wages, they at first weren’t met with similar favorable results.
Pierluisi told the media Tuesday, “Nobody here is obligated to be a policeman or fireman. But those who dedicate themselves to this vocation have to bear this great responsibility. And if for any reason, you question if you should continue (in this profession) because the pay isn’t what you hoped for, the working conditions aren’t what you want, you’re not obligated to remain in your position. But if you choose to remain in this position, and I’m speaking on behalf of the towns of Puerto Rico, you must do your duty. There is no alternative.”
The annual starting salary of firefighters in Puerto Rico is $18,000. According to Numbeo, the estimated annual cost of living for a family of four in Puerto Rico is $36,624.
Isiana Natal, a spokeswoman for the firefighter’s union, told The Associated Press that the firemen were seeking a $30,000 starting salary and an improved pension plan, further adding that of the 1,400 firefighters required to serve the island’s 3.2 million people, only 1,000 remain. And 40 of 140 rookie firemen that graduated the academy in December have already resigned.
As Puerto Rico climbs out of bankruptcy, federal funds are tight and can only sustain the temporary wage increases for the next two years.
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