E-News: April 20, 2023
An updated Union Directory listing union goods and services in R.I. can be found on our website at www.RhodeIslandAFLCIO.org under the “Resources” tab.
Here is the direct link—-> Union Directory
The Rhode Island AFL-CIO is heartbroken to learn of the passing of our sister Senator Maryellen Goodwin. Always a fighter for the under represented & the voiceless, she will be missed by working people across Rhode Island. President Nee & Secretary-Treasurer Crowley share their condolences with her family & friends.
Teamsters Local 251 Facebook:
RISD STRIKERS UNANIMOUSLY RATIFY FIRST CONTRACT
Thanks to incredible support from students, labor and the community, striking workers unanimously voted for a first contract between Teamsters Local 251 and RISD. These brave custodians, custodian/caretakers, groundskeepers, movers and President’s house facilities coordinator stuck together and demanded their worth.
Contract highlights were:
Contract expiration of 6/30/2028, with wage retroactivity to October 2022.
Wage increase average of 33% over term, with over 22% increase by July 2023.
Minimum wage for 1 year employees of over $20 per hour by July 2023.
Longevity bonus and additional stipends.
Protections to maintain good benefits.
Strong contractual protections.
We thank everyone for their tremendous support and the workers for helping to define this working class movement. When we fight, we win!
The Providence Journal: RISD, striking janitors, groundskeepers end strike with wage deal – what to know
The Rhode Island School of Design and striking union members have reached an agreement.
Workers who belong to Teamsters Local 251 voted unanimously on Tuesday to ratify a five-year contract, ending the strike, according to spokesman Matthew McQuaid.
Under the terms of the new contract, employees with at least one year of service will be earning over $20 an hour by July 1.
“The contract reflects and advances RISD’s commitment to social equity and inclusion,” said RISD spokeswoman Danielle Mancuso. “Further, RISD is committed to taking immediate and long-term action to better embody our values and priorities concerning base wages for our lowest-paid employees. That work is underway.”
Background on the RISD strike
Janitors, groundskeepers and movers who are represented by the union went on strike April 3 after failing to agree on a contract. The union had been seeking a $20-an-hour wage for workers who unionized last year. The terms of the tentative agreement had not been announced Tuesday. Read more here.
Laborers Local 271 Twitter:
Congrats to new #Laborers271 BM Joseph Vitullo, new Secretary Treasurer Christopher Sabitoni and the new local union executive board. We thank new @LIUNA GST Michael Sabitoni and VP Dan Bianco for their tireless service #WeBuildRI #UnionStrong
Laborers Local 271 Twitter:
#RIBuildingTrades Family night at the @AHLBruins supporting #BigBrothersBigSistersRI @pbruinsfanclub @99_ibew @RIPAINTERSUNION @riaflcio #buildRI
NEA Today: Gen Z: The Most Pro-Union Generation
On a hot Saturday morning just two weeks into the school year, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) sophomore Aryana Jharia pulled on her red shirt, grabbed her sign reading, “Admin is looking like a damn clown,” and walked across campus to meet about 45 protesting professors. Together, the protestors, clad in “#RedForEd” T-shirts, marched in a loop chanting, “Settle the damn contract.” (#RedForEd is a grassroots movement to secure more school funding and resources that benefit students and educators.)
The striking professors were union members who believed the university’s negotiators were dragging their feet after the faculty’s contract expired. The biggest issue? Faculty pay. On Sept. 12, the day after Jharia joined the protest, the two sides reached a tentative agreement, and EMU educators returned to their classrooms.Aspiring Educator Aryana Jharia joined striking professors at Eastern Michigan University to fight for better pay.
Jharia, who is co-president of the Aspiring Educators (AE) chapter on her campus, said this was her first direct exposure to the power of unions.
“It makes a huge difference to have that experience because it’s like, wow, this is a real issue—professors and teachers don’t get paid enough,” she says.
Gen Z is America’s most pro-union generation, according to a report from the Center for American Progress. Support for unions among Gen Z is higher today than it was among Baby Boomers and Gen Xers at their age. Read more here.
RICOSH: Workers’ Memorial Week:
Each year RICOSH and others in the National COSH network, honor workers and their families who have lost their lives at work during Workers’ Memorial Week, which takes place this year from April 23rd through April 30th.
Join National COSH on Wednesday, April 26th at 2pm ET, on Zoom. We’ll observe Workers’ Memorial Week with our announcement of this year’s Dirty Dozen unsafe employers. We put a spotlight on irresponsible behavior that puts workers and communities at risk – and we’ll elevate the stories of workers and communities fighting back to win better protections to reduce fatalities, injuries and illnesses.
Workers’ Memorial Week is a time to remember those we’ve lost – and to fight like hell for the living. We’d be honored if you can join us on April 26th, as we work together to build a powerful movement to protect all workers in all workplaces.
Dirty Dozen 2023 Release Event * Evento de Lanzamiento de La Docena Sucia 2023
Wed/mierc, 4/26, 2pm ET
Register here: https://bit.ly/DD2023-ReleaseEvent
Jessica E. Martinez and Marcy Goldstein-Gelb
Co-Executive Directors, National COSH
United Way of RI: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
What: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
This food drive is one of the country’s largest one-day drives, collecting nearly 2 billion pounds of food in the past 30 years. Hunger exists in every community in the nation. Nearly 1 in 3 households in RI is food insecure, nearly three times more than before the pandemic. Nearly 60,000 Rhode Islanders receive food monthly from the RI Community Food Bank.
Sponsors: include the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, and United Way Worldwide
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023
How: bag health, non-perishable food items and place them by your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up and deliver to local food pantries. It’s easy to participate and makes a huge difference helping our neighbors who are hungry!
For any questions, feel free to contact Janice Pothier Pac, Volunteer Engagement, United Way of RI at janice.pothierpac@unitedwayri.org or 401-444-0634
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Free Retirement Planning Workshops
Many of us have questions about the retirement process. There are lots of decisions to be made at all stages, many of which have irreversible consequences.
We’re happy to let you know that we’ve aligned with Legacy Benefit Advisors of RI (LBA) who will be providing 9 free retirement planning workshops for our members starting this March. There are 3 in-person workshops and 6 virtual workshops. Please click here for more info and to register for your spot as space will be limited.
The LBA workshops will help you:
- Select the best Medicare plan
- Decide your Social Security strategy
- Consolidate your “nest egg” and provide investment growth without risk
- Generate a steady, lasting income stream
- Provide a safety net for loved ones
Virtual workshops are at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on the following date.
- May 10
In-Person workshops will be at 6:00 pm at the Institute for Labor Studies on the following date.
- May 18
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Providence Federation of Musicians
Cavalcade of Bands
When: Tuesday, May 30
Where: Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket
Dancing: 5:30 – 10:30 p.m.
For more information and a list of bands performing, click here.
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Visit our website for more information, news and events.
If you want a voice on the job or to build a better workplace, click the here to start organizing and taking action.
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