Obama DOL Wins $1.2 Million for Puerto Rico Workers

When a Puerto Rico newspaper publisher raided the union workers' retirement fund, the Bush administration didn't do much. But under President Obama's Labor Department, workers will get most of their money back.

DOL lawyers went to U.S. federal court on behalf of the El Vocero workers and won a $1.28 million settlement that restores most of the funds that were taken, as well as promised employer contributions that were not made between 2003 and 2006.

"What a difference a presidential election makes," said Bernie Lunzer, president of The Newspaper Guild-CWA, which represents the workers through UPAGRA.

"During the Bush years, the Department of Labor tried to get our members to agree to a $600,000 settlement, less than half of what they are owed, Lunzer said. "Now, under the leadership of President Obama and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, we're a lot closer to the justice that they deserve."

Publisher Miguel Roca has kept up his dirty tricks. Since July, he has pushed more than 100 workers out of their jobs, replacing them with non-union employees who are being paid with U.S. stimulus dollars. Local mayors and Puerto Rico's labor secretary are channeling the taxpayer funds to Roca, according to a paper trail that union leaders have unraveled.

CWA is aiding the UPAGRA members with funds set aside to support collective bargaining strategies. The union is continuing its mass pickets and gets a permit once a week to shut down the streets in front of the newspaper's San Juan offices.