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Puerto Rican Teachers, Public Workers March for Permanent Salary Increase in San Juan
Teachers and other public-sector workers marched to La Fortaleza, the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico, in San Juan on February 9 to demand better pay and benefits. Wednesday’s protest comes after Governor Pedro Pierluisi announced that teachers would receive a temporary raise of $1,000 per month, due to start in July of 2022 and end in 2024 – in response to a massive protest by teachers on Friday, El Nuevo Dia reported. On February 9, protesters demanded a permanent salary increase as well as improved retirement benefits, and many called for Pierluisi’s resignation. Local news reports said firefighters joined the protesters gathered outside La Fortaleza, holding signs with slogans such as “Pierluisi, anti-worker, enemy of the firefighter.” Videos filmed by participant Riky Colon show the crowd marching from Luis Muñoz Rivera Park into Old San Juan. “Teachers know what’s up,” Colon wrote on Instagram. “We don’t want relief!!! We want justice!! A salary and a decent retirement for our educators!!!” Credit: Riky Colon via Storyful
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