Puerto Rico correctional officers secure long-awaited pay raises

Puerto Rico's Correctional Officers Secure Long-Awaited Pay Raises

After an extended period of advocacy, correctional officers in Puerto Rico are set to receive long-overdue salary increases. The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation will implement these raises for over 3,500 employees beginning December 16.

The Servidores Públicos Unidos de Puerto Rico (SPUPR/AFSCME Council 95) have been actively campaigning to ensure the implementation of wage hikes that were legislated in 2022.

Law 91 stipulated an annual salary increase of nearly $9,000 for these vital public safety workers. Despite this, the increase was stalled for three years due to the government's reluctance to release the required funds.

"It was a fight that practically kept us up at night. Every day we were looking for strategies," remarked SPUPR President Jessica Martínez Santos during a press conference. "Until the law was passed, there was no fair wage for any correctional officer or supervisor within the department."

In early November, a demonstration was held by approximately 500 SPUPR members in public safety roles. The massive protest saw participants marching through San Juan, urging the government to fulfill its salary commitments to corrections officers, park rangers, and pre-trial arrest agents.

Following this success, SPUPR members continue to stand in solidarity, prepared to advocate for respect and fairness in their challenging roles. Their ongoing efforts include ensuring that the government also allocates funds for the salary increases for park rangers as mandated by Act 156 of 2024.

Public safety professionals are increasingly turning to AFSCME to strengthen their workplace power, advocating for safer working conditions, competitive wages, quality healthcare, and secure retirement benefits. For more information, visit the AFSCME Public Safety website.