P.R. Laws tit. 29, § 100a
To guarantee free association and participation for all persons within a labor organization, the following are hereby declared to be protected rights and prerogatives of high public interest for all labor organization members:
(1) The right to elect by direct, individual and secret vote the directors of the labor organization on all levels provided by the pertinent charter and/or bylaws as subject to election by the members of the organization.
(2) The right to nominate candidates to directing offices and positions and to aspire to any elective office or position in the organization, if in compliance with the requirements established by regulations pursuant to law to run for and aspire to a candidacy.
(3) The right to effective participation in the affairs and activities of the organization and to the free expression of ideas, arguments and opinions on any matters concerning the labor organization.
(4) The right to be consulted with respect to the establishment, increase or modification of membership dues and/or the deduction of contributions, donations and/or special or extraordinary apportionments for fixed or provisional terms through direct, individual and secret vote in assemblies and/or special referendums convened for such purposes and duly supervised by the Department of Labor and Human Resources.
(5) The right to have the disciplinary procedures of the organization in compliance with the due process of law including, among other rights, the notification of specific charges in writing; the opportunity to a defense, per se or by a representative, and the opportunity to present witnesses or documents for their defense in a hearing.
(6) The right to be exempted from or protected against sanctions, penalties or acts of undue pressure, coercion, persecution, reprisals or disciplinary measures for establishing or filing any grievances or legal procedures against the labor organization or any of its representatives, directors or employees before any administrative, judicial or legislative forum, for matters, conduct or activities liable to prosecution, hearing, settlement and/or investigation for it being understood in good faith that they have been carried out against the applicable laws, norms or regulations of the organization, or for appearing as a witness in any proceeding held in any of the aforementioned forums to which the member has been duly summoned to appear.
(7) The right to receive a copy of the charter and bylaws of the labor organization and of the collective bargaining agreements, letters or contract agreements negotiated and executed with the employer and if so requested, a copy of any special agreement or stipulation granted as a consequence of any negotiation with the employer other than the collective bargaining agreement negotiation, or the letter or contract agreement.
(8) The right to receive a financial report of the economic and financial activities and operations of the organization signed by the treasurer of the organization on or before August 20 of each year, including a report certified by a certified public accountant on the financial status of the organization from the beginning to the end of the fiscal year, which begins July 1 and ends June 30 of each year. These reports shall be accompanied by a separate list of all expenses, disbursements or investments over $2,000.00, describing the purpose of the expense, disbursement or investment and the salary, per diems, travel expenses or special compensations received by the directors, employees, advisors or consultants of the organization.
(9) The right to examine the books, accounts, money orders, checks, documents and reports pertaining to the economic and financial operations of the organization at a reasonable time and place with prior notification and agreement on the time and place, and the right to obtain a copy of any document of interest, after payment of a modest and reasonable amount to cover the duplication costs for the requested copies. The labor organization shall maintain all the economic and financial documents of its operations for a minimum of six (6) years.
(10) The right to claim that the secrecy and confidentiality of the identity of any member of an organization who provides information which contains data that leads or may lead to a legal, administrative or judicial investigation for violations of this subchapter be maintained and protected for as long as the investigation continues.
History —Sept. 16, 2004, No. 333, § 3.