Speaker. today marks the centennial of the birth of Santiago Iglesias Pantin. an early associate of Samuel Gompers and a pioneer of organized labor in Puerto Rico. A native of Galicia. Spain. Santiago Iglesias emigrated to Puerto Rico in 1896 as a 24yearold carpenter turned labor organizer. He had been deported from Cuba because of his prolabor activities and he continued his efforts on behalf of workers. championing the causes of Puerto Ricos tobacco and cigar factory workers and canecutters. In 1899. just 3 years after his arrival. Santiago Iglesiasthrough strikes and protestswas able to secure an 8hour workday on the island.
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deported emigrated