Obama: Puerto Rico's Worries Mirror Mainland's, But Initiatives Will Help

CWA and other union members in Puerto Rico were among the crowd that greeted President Obama when he arrived at San Juan's airport on Tuesday.

A contingent of union members in Puerto Rico, including CWA activists, were among the crowd inside an airport hangar where President Obama spoke Tuesday after arriving in San Juan.

CWA Local 3010 President Rafael Castro-Torres said Republican government officials in Puerto Rico prevented labor leaders from having any closer interaction with Obama during his four-hour visit.

Still, he said union leaders were pleased that the president addressed issues critical to working families, including the economy, jobs, health care and education.

"I know that today a lot of folks are asking some of the same questions here on the island as they're asking in Indiana or California or in Texas," Obama said. "How do I make sure my kids get the kind of education that they need? How can I put away a little money for retirement? How can I fill up my gas tank? How can I pay the bills?"

Obama said initiatives to increase broadband access, invest in education, grow tourism and build clean-energy industries will help. "We're giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own economic futures," he said.