Puerto Rico Telephone Workers Join OPEIU
Some 2,000 telephone workers in Puerto Rico recently voted to affiliate with the Office and Professional Employees ( OPEIU ). The members of the Independent Union of Telephone Workers (UIET) voted by a 10–1 margin to become part of OPEIU.
The workers approached OPEIU after their employer, Claro Puerto Rico, imposed a contract that eliminated union security and dues checkoff provisions, among other changes. Says OPEIU President Michael Goodwin:
This affiliation is based on UIET and OPEIU’s common goal of improving the compensation and working conditions of members….OPEIU will now help UIET reach an agreement with the company that would include restoration of both provisions for all 2,000 employees.
UIET will continue to exist as an autonomous labor organization, administrating its own business, but will be assisted by OPEIU in building the organization through organizing, collective bargaining and legislative and public relations support.
