PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN PUERTO RICO

WHEREAS, the government of Puerto Rico has embarked upon a strategy to privatize public services with little or no regard to the effect it will have on quality or the people who will be most affected by privatization; and

WHEREAS, these plans already include privatizing regional colleges of the UPR, financing a K-12 voucher program through cuts in higher education funding, privatization of health care, electric and water utilities, public retirement system and other services citizens rely on:

RESOLVED, that the 980,000 members of the American Federation of Teachers extend our full support to the members of the Federation, the telephone workers, and the people of Puerto Rico in their efforts to preserve quality public services, protect public sector jobs and promote an honest and free dialogue on these important issues.