Puerto Rican teachers get temporary pay raise after protests

San Juan, February 14 (RHC)-- In Puerto Rico, teachers are getting a temporary $1,000 monthly salary increase, and the Puerto Rican government has committed to negotiating better retirement options for educators. 

The news comes after thousands of teachers led several protests across the island demanding better wages, benefits and working conditions.  Puerto Rico’s Governor Pedro Pierluisi promised to make the raises permanent. 

Protest leaders in Puerto Rico say they won’t celebrate until the commitments are delivered.  Firefighters and restaurant workers on the Caribbean island have also joined calls for salary increases and better working conditions.  Restaurant waitstaff in Puerto Rico walked off the job yesterday --  Valentine’s Day -- to join another teacher-led protest.