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Utility unions strike over Ortiz
By CB Online Staff
Unionized workers from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) and Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (Prasa) staged strikes on Monday to protest the nomination of José Ortiz to head the Prepa board and his role as Prasa chief.
The island Senate was slated to vote Monday on Ortiz’s confirmation as Prepa board president.
Electric & Irrigation Industry Workers Union (UTIER) President Ángel Figueroa Jaramillo, who heads the biggest labor group at Prepa, said the protest strike would stretch into the afternoon.
The chief of Prasa’s biggest union, Independent Authentic Union President Pedro Irene Maymí, said their strike was to protest Ortiz’s record as executive president of the public water utility.
Ortiz has drawn heat from the union for contracting a private firm to help clamp down on water theft and expedite billing.
The protests at utility installations were scheduled to move to the Capitol as the upper chamber considers Ortiz’s appointment at Prepa.
