The 4,300 workers walked out October 4 after management unilaterally cut payments to the union-run health plan, setting up a private fund instead, claiming this was necessary because of misuse of funds by the union. The workers, who last received a raise in July 2002, have also rejected management’s claims that there is no money for anything but a paltry wage increase.

Days before the December 13 union meeting, 11 UIA leaders were indicted on tax evasion charges. They were released on $100,000 bail each. Those facing charges based on the Justice Department investigation into government allegations of fraud and corruption in the health-care plan include the president of the union and the heads of seven UIA regional locals. A preliminary hearing has been set for December 28.

AAA is reported to be spending $2 million a month for overtime to almost 800 management personnel and for the heavy presence of more than 1,000 police used at various work sites.

Management is also trying to force some professional workers to report for work at AAA’s central office. About 200 members of the Independent Brotherhood of Professional Employees at AAA—engineers and other specialists—initially honored UIA picket lines. A few weeks into the strike, they began reporting for work at outlying offices. Management sent notices insisting they report to their usual work sites, and made a big show out of loading 80 of these employees onto buses and bringing them, under heavy police escort, into AAA’s central offices. The strikers have a large presence outside that office.

The day before the Loiza union meeting, about 50 women strikers marched to the governor’s mansion with signs demanding a just contract and to show their support for the walkout in face of demands that they simply return to work. The unionists, who have been getting $600 a month in strike benefits, also just received their normal yearly bonuses, in the range of about $2,000. While this offers some relief from mounting bills, the government is hoping to lure more strikers to cross picket lines, dangling the $1,800 bonus they would get if they report for work.  
 
 
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