The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that after a march of thousands of teachers from Plaza Colón to La Fortaleza on Thursday morning the FMPR secured a first meeting for Dec. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. to address retirement and Carrera Magisterial pay
- El Vocero reported that a scuffle with police occurred at the security fences when leaders were initially denied entry and told to deliver a letter from the street before representatives of each organization were allowed inside
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that the government committed to contact the Department of Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget regarding a debt of approximately $9.5 million for school transportation services claimed by the Federation of School Carriers
- Both outlets reported that University of Puerto Rico professors who joined the protest will meet with La Fortaleza representatives on Dec. 8 to discuss their classification and compensation plan
Protest leads to meeting
Thousands of teachers marched from Plaza Colón to La Fortaleza on Thursday morning in the "Manifestación de la Indignación" to demand immediate action on Carrera Magisterial payments, dignified retirement and better working conditions. Metro Puerto Rico reported that after an extended meeting government officials committed to address the claims presented by the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR) and other unions.
FMPR president Mercedes Martínez Padilla told Metro Puerto Rico the demonstration was "un éxito" and that a Dec. 2 meeting would provide answers on all points raised. She added that the federation would continue organizing to strengthen its position and would return to the streets if concrete actions are not taken.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
En esa reunión se nos van a contestar todos los puntos que llevamos allí hoy
Our translation: In that meeting they are going to answer all the points we brought there today
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Tension at the gates
El Vocero reported that a scuffle with police took place at the security barriers when Martínez Padilla and other demonstrators tried to enter La Fortaleza. Authorities initially refused entry and suggested delivering a letter from the street. One representative from each convening organization was eventually allowed inside.
According to El Vocero the group first met with attorney Fernando Rivera of the Secretariat of the Governorship. Martínez Padilla stated they were giving the government an ultimatum and demanded a direct meeting with the governor rather than advisers. The leaders later encountered Secretary of the Governorship Norma Burgos Andújar and adviser Jaime Pérez.
Additional commitments
Metro Puerto Rico reported that the Dec. 2 meeting will also follow up on formal approval of a salary scale law, the return of dismissed janitors and the status of school security guards whose hours were reduced after Department of Education cuts. The government further agreed to contact the Department of Treasury and the Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto regarding an approximately $9.5 million debt for school transportation services provided until May.
University of Puerto Rico professors who participated in the protest and meeting will hold a separate encounter on Dec. 8 to address their Plan de Clasificación y Retribución, Metro Puerto Rico reported. Martínez Padilla indicated that without solutions the teachers would demonstrate in the streets again.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero agree that a large teachers' march occurred on Thursday, that FMPR president Mercedes Martínez Padilla participated, that a meeting with government representatives took place at La Fortaleza after initial resistance, and that further meetings are scheduled. Metro Puerto Rico states the main meeting was with Secretary of the Governorship Norma Burgos Andújar and reports a Dec. 2 meeting plus a $9.5 million transportation debt commitment. El Vocero reports an initial meeting with Fernando Rivera followed by an encounter with Norma Burgos Andújar and Jaime Pérez, describes a physical scuffle with police at the gates, and quotes Martínez Padilla demanding a direct meeting with the governor and an end to meetings with advisers. The outlets differ on the precise sequence and participants in the meetings.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the governor will attend any future meetings, the exact amount each teacher is owed under Carrera Magisterial, when the Office of Management and Budget audit will be completed, or what specific proposals the government will present on Dec. 2. They also do not indicate how many total participants attended the march or whether classes were disrupted.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Maestros logran dialogar con el gobierno y que atendieran sus reclamos
- Reporting Forcejeo en La Fortaleza: maestros logran entrar tras exigir ser atendidos por el gobierno
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and El Vocero both covered the teachers' protest and subsequent meeting at La Fortaleza. Metro Puerto Rico provided details on the Dec. 2 meeting topics, the $9.5 million debt and the Dec. 8 UPR meeting. El Vocero focused on the scuffle at the gates and the initial interaction with Fernando Rivera. All information on meeting outcomes and commitments rests on the two outlets' reporting of statements by Mercedes Martínez Padilla and government representatives.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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