E-News: December 26, 2024
An updated Union Directory listing union goods and services in R.I. can be found on our website at Rhode Island AFL-CIO under the “Resources” tab.
Here is the direct link—-> Union Directory
🚨🚨🚨 If you have questions about the RIBridges security breach, the state has set up a hotline that will run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. each week day and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekends. The number is 833-918-6603, and the reference number is B137035.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Executive Council Committee on Immigration Members
Executive Council Members
National and International Union Presidents
Trade and Industrial Department Presidents
General Board Representatives
Principal Officers of State Federations and Area and Central Labor Councils
FROM: Elizabeth H. Shuler, President
Under the leadership of the AFL-CIO Executive Council Committee on Immigration, we have been developing a proactive strategy to prepare for the attacks on immigrant workers that president-elect Trump has promised to begin on day one of his administration. We recognize the urgency to equip our movement to respond, and are pleased to announce the rollout of Frontline Solidarity: A Mass Deportation Fight-Back Toolkit for Union Activists and Organizers.
Please use this link to request the toolkit, which focuses on preparing for aspects of the mass deportation agenda that will most directly impact the workforce and the workplace. Our immigration team will be offering a series of virtual toolkit overview trainings on Mondays at 3 p.m. ET throughout January and February. In addition, we will conduct a full day, deep dive training on January 14 in Washington, D.C. Given space constraints, we ask that each union send no more than three people to the in-person training, and select participants who can help bring the information and strategies back to your structures.
I am grateful to Committee Chair Eric Dean and Vice Chair Evelyn DeJesus for their leadership, as well as to the nearly 30 unions that have designated staff to serve on our national immigration rapid response team. That team will help implement this critical work in the weeks and months ahead and keep us apprised of how evolving immigration issues are affecting members and unions around the country.
As always, if you have questions or requests, please reach out to AFL-CIO Director of Immigration Policy Shannon Lederer (slederer@aflcio.org).
AFL-CIO
Office of the President
815 Black Lives Matter Plaza NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-637-5100
The Providence Journal:
People to Watch 2025: Here’s who the Journal thinks you should be watching next year
Majority Leader Val Lawson and newly-elected RIFHTP President Maribeth Calabro named among this years “People to Watch”.
Biden-Harris Administration Approves Additional $4.28 Billion in Student Debt Relief for Nearly 55,000 Public Service Workers
Latest action brings approved relief to almost $180 billion for 4.9 million borrowers
December 20, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration announced today the approval of $4.28 billion in additional student loan relief for 54,900 borrowers across the country who work in public service. This relief—which is the result of significant fixes that the Administration has made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program—brings the total loan forgiveness by the Administration to approximately $180 billion for nearly five million Americans, including $78 billion for 1,062,870 borrowers through PSLF.
“Four years ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made a pledge to America’s teachers, service members, nurses, first responders, and other public servants that we would fix the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and I’m proud to say that we delivered,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “With the approval of another $4.28 billion in loan forgiveness for nearly 55,000 public servants, the Administration has secured nearly $180 billion in life-changing student debt relief for nearly five million borrowers. The U.S. Department of Education’s successful transformation of the PSLF Program is a testament to what’s possible when you have leaders, like President Biden and Vice President Harris, who are relentlessly and unapologetically focused on making government deliver for everyday working people.” Read more here.
The Brown Daily Herald: How computer science TAs’ newest contract was negotiated
Negotiators reflect on a feedback-centered process used to craft the new, long-term agreement.
When Brown reached a three-year contract with Teaching Assistant Labor Organization in late October, the union’s members became the first undergraduate student workers to secure a long term contract with the University.
The contract included a 3% annual increase in the base hourly rate for all undergraduate teaching assistants in the Computer Science department, and adopted new procedures for addressing allegations of discrimination and harassment. It also overhauled guidelines surrounding course development, incorporating feedback from computer science faculty and TAs.
The contract, which was ratified by 94% of voting CS TAs, replaced a one-year interim agreement in place for the 2023-24 academic year. Read more here.
Artists unite: Atlantic Mills tenants launch Rhode Island’s first commercial union
Facing new owners, Atlantic Mills tenants in Providence demand rent stabilization, an eviction moratorium, and 99-year leases
PROVIDENCE — Tensions have been building for months between dozens of commercial tenants and their new landlord at the historic Atlantic Mills property, which houses artist studios and second-hand stores, and boiled over this past weekend when tenants decided to take action and form a union.
The organizing effort marks the first time commercial tenants have unionized in Rhode Island, according to union leaders, and comes just months after the state’s first majority tenants union formed in the state, outside of public housing.
Modeled after labor unions, tenants unions are collective bargaining groups that typically coordinate actions against landlords, such as withholding rent until issues like rent increases, maintenance issues, and evictions are addressed. Read more here.
IBEW Providence Facebook:Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful Christmas
Amazon Labor Union IBT X:
LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE 2025 APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
Leadership for the Future (LFTF) is an organizing development program for current and emerging leaders that fosters diverse connections and relationships while providing participants with the skills necessary to “become the change they wish to see” in Rhode Island. With an extra emphasis on working class and labor advocacy, this is a must-attend program for any community organizer.
The 2025 LFTF program will start in February with an overnight weekend retreat and ten (10) Monday evening sessions. The Monday sessions will run from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM (including dinner) and will be held at the Institute for Labor Studies & Research (1540 Pontiac Ave, Suite-A, Cranston, RI 02920). Childcare and transportation support will also be provided.
If you are interested and/or know someone else who would be please fill out and share the Application: https://bit.ly/LFTF-2025
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Haley De La Rosa at hdelarosa@riilsr.org or 401-463-9900 or Autumn Guillotte at autumn@riaflcio.org 401-316-1359.
If you want a voice on the job or to build a better workplace, click the here to start organizing and taking action.
LABOR VISION:
NEW EPISODE: RI LABOR HISTORY SOCIETY 36TH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
This Labor Vision episode covers the Rhode Island Labor History Society 36th Annual Awards Banquet. Honorees included Laborers District Council Business Manager Karen Hazard, ILSR Executive Director Bob Delaney, and RIFTHP Field Representative Jim Parisi. The 2024 Trailblazer awardee was AFT Local 6516 Graduate Labor Organization at Brown University.
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvmSZxi8IwA
Never miss a segment!
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