E-News: December 7, 2023
n 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
Rhode Island Current: Is pension reform a ‘lose-lose’ proposition? State panel is going to find that out
Retirees, public employees, union reps want to roll back 2011 pension reforms. But it might be an exercise in futility.
Twelve years is a long time to harbor resentment.
Ask the 28,000 retirees in the state pension system, who are struggling to keep up with daily expenses without the guaranteed annual pension adjustments they were promised. Or the 60,000 active workers within the pension system, working demanding jobs for more time than they originally planned with a smaller pension benefit when they eventually retire. Or the dozens of public employee union leaders who have watched pension reform-induced staffing shortages and high turnover reach crisis level.
Pent-up frustrations are spilling over as a new state panel delves into the 2011 pension overhaul aimed at shoring up the state’s beleaguered pension fund. And some critics aren’t convinced their complaints, or the opportunity to remedy them, are being taken seriously.
“I could write the conclusion of the report right now,” said John Breguet, a Smithfield resident who retired from his job as state labor relations administrator in 2007, after nearly 29 years. “They are going to say, ‘Let things stay the way they are.’”
That’s been the case for the last 12 years, despite demands from Breguet and other state retirees. This year, their battle cry grew louder, aided by a new Facebook group that mobilized retirees to rally at the State House and flood lawmakers’ inboxes. The Rhode Island General Assembly took note.
Not enough to give retirees what they have been clamoring for, namely, reinstating the compounded annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that were suspended in 2011. But enough to create a review panel to study, and recommend potential changes to, the state pension system. Read more here.
A Rhode Island Guide to Employment Law
The New York Times: Labor’s Very Good Year
Why 2023 was such an important year for unions.
This year has been a good one for labor unions. They have won victories in Hollywood and the auto industry, and 67 percent of Americans approve of unions, according to Gallup. Still, I remain skeptical that union organizing is on the cusp of a major turnaround, unless federal law changes. For now, companies that aren’t unionized have many ways to prevent a union from forming even when most workers want to join one.
But my colleague Noam Scheiber, who covers the workplace and labor, thinks I may be underestimating the chances of big change in the next few years. I asked Noam to use today’s newsletter to explain why he thinks 2023 was such an important year for organized labor. — David Leonhardt
Momentum matters
Employers do have real advantages when seeking to suppress unions. If an employer fires a worker for trying to organize a union — which is illegal — it typically takes years to litigate the case. Even if the employer is found guilty, it will at most have to pay back wages and some other “make whole” compensation, not a financial penalty for the wrongdoing. So there’s little disincentive to violating the law.
In 2021, the National Labor Relations Board found that Tesla had illegally fired a worker four years earlier for engaging in union activity, and the board ordered the company to reinstate him with back pay. Tesla appealed the decision in federal court and lost but is continuing to appeal. The worker has yet to be reinstated. Starbucks and Amazon have taken similar approaches. Read more here.
Governor Dan McKee Twitter:
A BIG thank you to all the workers — including our state employees, preservationists and Local 57 Operating Engineers — who did the work to ensure the Independent Man landed safe and sound. #IndependentManRI
Our public educators go above and beyond! Grateful for @rifthp members and ESL educators who work extra to organize important cultural events for their students.
Johnston Firefighters Local 1950 Facebook:
Toys for Tots 2023. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!
General Teamsters 251 Facebook:
LOCAL 251 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE HOSTED A FUN FAMILY HOLIDAY EVENT
The Teamsters 251 Women’s Committee hosted their annual Cookies with Santa family event Saturday, December 2, at the Union Hall. All proceeds will go to benefit the James D. Reilly Foundation.
JOB OPENING
Climate Jobs Rhode Island – Field Coordinator
Organization: Climate Jobs Rhode Island
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Position Type: Full-time
Climate Jobs Rhode Island is growing and seeks a dynamic and passionate Field Coordinator to
lead our offshore wind campaign work, coordinate with coalition and labor movement members, and promote pathways to family-sustaining clean energy careers, with a strong emphasis on union organizing, community organizing, advocacy with frontline and environmental justice communities, and implementing a just transition toward a green economy. More information here.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ANNUAL STATE ESSAY CONTEST
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The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission is hosting its Annual Essay Contest for middle school and high school students. Help the commission spread the word by inviting your local, students and youth in your family to participate!
The essay theme this year is “Marching to the Beat of Justice.” Cash prizes will be awarded for each of the middle school and high school student first- and second-place finishers, and the winners will read their essays at the MLK State Commission Ceremony on January 15, 2024. The deadline for the contest is December 15. Please submit Essays and Parental Permission forms to: RIMLKESSAY@gmail.com.
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LEADERSHIP FOR A FUTURE 2024 APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
Leadership for a Future (LFAF) 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 2024 LFAF program will start February 16th 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 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/lfaf-2024
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Haley De La Rosa at hdelarosa@riilsr.org or 401-463-9900 or Autumn Guillote at autumn@riaflcio.org 401-316-1359.
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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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NEW EPISODE: WORKING SAFELY AFTER A DISASTER – RICOSH WEBINAR
Check out our latest Labor Vision episode featuring James Celenza, RICOSH Director, and Fred Malaby, CIH CSP, on Working Safely After a Disaster: Guidance for reducing risks of injury and illness during recovery after disasters. Watch to learn about the risks in our region, how to better prepare and better protect workers on the job.
Visit the link in our Instagram page bio or visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRsNTwbK9v8
Stay tuned for future Lunch & Learn Labor Vision episodes on:
- Guns
- Climate
- Childcare
- Reproductive Justice
- AI / Human Replacing Technology
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@LaborVisionRI), and subscribe to our YouTube channel (LaborVisionTV1). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCVwEfHII8 and you can always find us on our website at https://laborvisionri.org