Employees of GEMA Contractors Services, the company that handles exterior cleaning and grounds maintenance at the San Juan Veterans Hospital, have voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the Puerto Rican Workers Union (SPT), Local 1996 SEIU. The two-week vote ended with 90% of ballots cast in favor of union representation, union officials said, paving the way for the workers to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement.
SPT President Israel Marrero Calderín said the result marks a significant step in employees’ efforts to secure improved working conditions and stronger workplace protections, adding that GEMA employees now join the vast majority of workers at the Veterans Hospital who already have union representation. As a next step, the union will convene GEMA employees to select a bargaining committee to represent them in negotiations with management, and it intends to pursue a prompt negotiating process aimed at a first labor agreement addressing workers’ concerns and guaranteeing fair employment conditions.
Marrero Calderín said the employer must recognize the outcome and negotiate in good faith. Neither GEMA Contractors Services nor hospital officials immediately commented on the results, and the company is expected to formally recognize the outcome before bargaining can begin.