Judge Katarina Stipec Rubio of the San Juan court reserved her ruling Friday on the labor dispute between the Sindicato de Trabajadores (Workers’ Union) and the Central Administration of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). The union, which represents employees at 10 of UPR’s 11 campuses, has been on strike since September 1 over its right to choose its own health insurance plan.
The union is seeking a contempt order based on a 2021 court ruling that validated collective bargaining contract language allowing unionized employees to select their insurer. On Friday, the union presented new evidence supporting its claim. Union president David Muñoz was unavailable for comment; he has argued that the Triple-S health plan chosen by the membership saves UPR $1 million annually.
The Central Administration declined to comment at this stage. The hearing began at 9:30 AM and ended in the afternoon without a ruling, according to union spokesperson Madeline Ramírez.