GENRAL STRIKE BY PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS

A general strike is scheduled to take place across Puerto Rico on 15 October 2009 to protest government plans to lay off almost 17,000 public sector workers. Protest participants will gather at seven points in San Juan during the morning hours and march to Roosevelt Avenue in the area across from the Hiram Bithorn stadium and the Plaza Las Américas in Hato Rey, where they will stage a mass rally at midday. In addition, another group of trade unions is planning to gather its supporters in the area around the Plaza Las Américas during the morning hours to prevent people from shopping in the stores located in the complex; a spokesperson for the shopping center has stated that it will open as normal despite the strike/protest. While the layoff will only affect public sector workers, labor unions are calling for all Puerto Ricans to participate in the strike action.