Members of SPT-SEIU Local 1996 in Puerto Rico scored a victory when Superior Judge Carlos Dávila Vélez granted their petition to stop the Department of Education's (DE) plans to lay-off 6,000 workers on Friday, giving them an additional 30 days on the job. SEIU's petition claimed the DE failed to follow proper notification procedures requiring notice to workers 30 days prior to letters of dismissal.

Today the good news just kept on coming. In response to another national strike scheduled for this Friday, Puerto Rico's Board of Fiscal Reconstruction and Stabilization announced that state employee layoffs are to be postponed through at least January 8, 2010.

Over a hundred civil and labor leaders rushed to the SPT headquarters in Río Piedras to celebrate the victory tonight that is such great news for 6,746 SEIU members. "It is a victory, indeed," said Bishop Felipe Posada, a spokeperson of coalition Todo Puerto Rico con Puerto Rico. "But the struggle is not over." Posada announced the coalition is ready to resume talks with government, and not just on the subject of the lay-offs but on many other issues afflicting the people of Puerto Rico.

While the fight is far from over, this announcement is a powerful sign that the strong voices of labor, faith, and student leaders are being heard in San Juan. Nevertheless, the plans for a general strike and the agenda for Thursday vigil are still on. This good news doesn't change the fact that on Friday, the non-unionized workers will still be laid off. "In this extra time," says SPT-SEIU President Robert Pagan, "we must increase the pressure and give time to the Government to reflect on the damage done to the people of Puerto."