NLRB Finds Evidence of Owner Fraud in Puerto Rico Newspaper Fight

In a big victory for Puerto Rico newspaper workers who are fighting to get their jobs back, the National Labor Relations Board has found that 107 employees were illegally discharged in July as the company refused to bargain in good faith.

The ruling further charges that the newspaper, El Vocero, remains a single entity despite its owner's attempt to set up sham companies that have been receiving U.S. stimulus dollars to hire replacement workers.

"This decision confirms UPAGRA's allegations over owner Miguel Roca's anti-worker and illegal actions against his workers, many of whom have more than 30 years of service," said Nestor Soto, president of the union UPAGRA, part of The Newspaper Guild-CWA, and a CWA at-large executive board member.

The NLRB findings are the first step to restoring the workers' jobs, which were in the circulation department. Both sides will present evidence at a hearing scheduled Feb. 3 before an administrative law judge.

TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer said while he's hopeful that the jobs will be restored, with back pay for workers, Roca's attitude toward his employees and his brazen fraud involving U.S. taxpayer dollars suggests that he will fight the union every step of the way.

The union exposed the scam a few months ago, after Soto followed a paper trail showing that local politicians had funneled stimulus money to Roca. So far Roca has received more than $6 million and claims the funds are for "new" jobs at his "new" companies. One city, Guyanabo, has started the process of pulling more than $1 million in grant funds from him, and others may follow.