E-News: March 23, 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
Climate Jobs RI Press Conference: Green and Healthy Schools
State of RI General Assembly:
Press Release: March 16, 2023
Coalition supports Healthy School Meals for All bill sponsored by Rep. Caldwell, Sen. Cano
Providence, R.I. – A coalition of more than 30 local organizations joined together today in the Statehouse library in support of “Healthy School Meals for All,” a policy which would offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of their household income, as part of the school day.
The group is supporting proposed legislation in the Senate (SB68) and the House (HB5639), sponsored by Senate Committee on Education Chairwoman Sandra Cano and Deputy Majority Leader Justine Caldwell respectively.
“We saw a ‘Healthy School Meals for All’ policy in action during the COVID pandemic when federal funding was provided from the USDA to offer meals free of charge to all students,” said RI AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Crowley. “With federal waivers expired, the State of Rhode Island has the opportunity to lead and ensure our children are hunger-free and ready to learn.
“Research shows that empty bellies are a barrier to learning for children and youth and school meals play a critical role in student health and academic success. We can improve learning, eliminate student meal debt and shame, and foster improved quality in school meal programs by making ‘Healthy School Meals for All’ permanent in every RI school district.”
“The RI Life Index identified 41 percent of households with children as food insecure in 2022, meaning families struggled to afford adequate food, placing the children of that household at risk for hunger,” said Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “By putting in place a ‘Healthy School Meals for All’ policy, Rhode Island can ease the burden on families, ensure students have access to nutritious meals so they can learn and thrive, and we can reduce hunger risk. With a holistic approach to policy that prioritizes children and families, Rhode Island can begin to meet this hunger crisis.” Read more here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 16, 2023
PRESS CONTACT: Matt Fidel – 202-236-5895
Joined by Local Labor Leaders, Magaziner Calls for Passage of the PRO Act to Strengthen Unions and Rebuild the Middle Class
Magaziner spoke in front of a local Starbucks to highlight the company’s recent history of anti-union practices
Warwick, R.I. – Today, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) joined Rhode Island labor leaders and a former Starbucks employee to call for the immediate passage of the PRO Act, a comprehensive proposal to protect the rights of workers, which will rebuild the middle class, improve the lives of workers and their families, and create an economy where everyone can succeed.
Magaziner was joined at the press conference by George Nee and Patrick Crowley from the RI AFL-CIO, as well as former Starbucks employee Cassie Burke, who reiterated Magaziner’s call to pass the PRO Act and highlighted Starbucks’ recent history of illegal union-busting actions.
“The right to form a union is one of the most fundamental rights afforded to all workers,” said Rep. Magaziner. “History has proven that when workers band together to collectively bargain, they secure higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As unions have come under attack from wealthy special interests, big multinational corporations, and their well-funded lobbyists, all workers – including non-union workers – have paid the price. That’s why I’m fighting so hard to pass the bipartisan PRO Act in Congress.”
In the 1950’s, approximately 33% of American workers were part of a union. In the face of increased union-busting tactics over the past 50 years, the rate of union membership has declined to 10.1% of all workers.
At the same time, the average wages of middle and lower-income earners have remained stagnant, while corporate profits have grown. From 1973 to 2013, hourly compensation of a typical worker rose just 9% while productivity increased 74%. Between 1979 and 2013, the median hourly wages of middle-wage workers rose just 6% — and low-wage workers fell by 5%. During the same time period, hourly wages of high-wage workers rose 41%.
General Teamsters Local 251 Facebook:
The Teamsters 251 stakebody truck hosted traditional Irish dancers in the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Great job by the dancers and musicians involved. We thank the members who walked with the truck, and parade marshal Jim Riley for including the Teamsters.
IBEW 99 marches in the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade and is joined by other union members along the route.
Johnston RI Fire Department Facebook:
JFD Honor Guard at the Providence St. Patrick Day Parade.
West Warwick Firefighters Facebook:
The West Warwick Firefighters Local-1104 was invited to march in the 62nd Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Pawtuxet Valley parade. We were honored to be named best color guard of the parade. We would like to thank parade committee chairman Michael O’Connell and his staff for putting together a great parade.
UFCW Local 328 Facebook:
Congratulations to the workers at Bob’s Discount Furniture in North Dartmouth, MA, on winning their union election! Welcome to our union family!
They become the second location to join Local 328 (Attleboro joined in 2014) and the 14th store across the company to unionize. On the same day the North Dartmouth workers won their union election, the workers at the Shelby Township location in Michigan filed for theirs. Solidarity to all Bob’s workers standing together! The photos include workers from North Dartmouth, Local 328 members in Attleboro showing support, and workers in Shelby Township, MI.
The Hill: ‘Abbott Elementary’ goes all-in against charter schools
ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” has made charter schools its boogeyman.
The popular sitcom, now in its sophomore season, is wrapping up an arc in which the titular institution, a chaotic but whimsical inner-city Philadelphia school, faces off against the big, bad charter company down the street, Legendary Schools, which is actively seeking to incorporate it.
“They don’t even require all their teachers be certified,” one Abbott educator laments of their rival in an episode that aired earlier this month.
“Yet they take our funding, not to mention the private money from wealthy donors with ulterior motives,” another replies.
Later in the same episode, a former Abbott student returns after having been kicked out of the Legendary charter, apparently for dragging down its test results.
“They don’t see students, they see scores,” an Abbott teacher says.
Biden Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, for one, sounds like a fan. Speaking with The Hill on Sunday, Cardona said that while he doesn’t “have a particular statement around charter schools,” he emphasized: “I love what ‘Abbott Elementary’ has done.”
“I think I want to see an episode about how some states are trying to privatize schools. That’s the episode that I would want to be — have them hone in on because I think that’s an issue that we really should be worried about,” Cardona said. Read more here.
JOB POSTINGS:
Health & Safety Program Coordinator at Institute for Labor Studies
The Institute for Labor Studies & Research (ILSR) provides education and training that enables working Rhode Islanders and the labor movement to have a stronger voice in the workplace, to participate more effectively in Rhode Island’s changing economy, and to create a more just and equitable society. Job Description: ILSR seeks a dynamic Program Coordinator to coordinate and implement its Health and Safety program. This individual will work in collaboration with a passionate and dedicated team to coordinate a broad array of programs and services that are delivered through the Institute, with a focus on providing health and safety on the job, workers’ compensation, and rights on the job training to youth participants and adults. This position is an opportunity to develop a successful program and strengthen partnerships with local and state agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. We seek well-organized applicants proficient in Google Workspace, video conference software such as Zoom, and Microsoft Office. Excellent written and verbal skills are necessary for this position. Multilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Click here for more information.
Apprentice Utilization Program Director at Building Futures
Since 2007, Building Futures has operated a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship apprenticeship program to prepare diverse people experiencing poverty for successful employment as registered apprentices in the union building and construction trades. Through AUP, Building Futures works with many stakeholders to ensure that construction projects provide employment opportunities for apprentices to meet the present and future demand for skilled labor.
The Director we seek must be a strong project manager capable of skillfully working with contractor, union and government representatives to develop and implement construction project based hiring plans for new apprenticeship hires, trouble shoot, as necessary, compliance obligations and regularly report on overall program performance. Click here for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
What better way to end Woman’s History Month than by celebrating with the Woman’s Council! No matter how long you’ve been in the trades, your presence has had an impact! The Women’s Council is hosting the event right after work, so you’ll be able to come, enjoy a drink and some food with them, and still have the rest of your weekend. The event is going to be held at:
The Brass Monkey, 800 Allens Ave., Providence, Rhode Island, 02905
Date: Friday, March 31st, from 4:30-6:30
Also check out two surveys that the Women’s Council are announcing.
Childcare survey: https://womenbuildingri.org/childcaresurvey
Gender equity survey: https://womenbuildingri.org/genderequitysurvey
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Annual R.I. Building Trades Hockey Night:
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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 dates
- March 8
- April 12
- May 10
In-Person workshops will be at 6:00 pm at the Institute for Labor Studies on the following dates
- March 16
- April 20
- May 18
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United Way of RI:
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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.
Coming up on Labor Vision …
New Episode! In this special segment, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02), George Nee and Patrick Crowley from the RI AFL-CIO, and former Starbucks employee Cassie Burke, gather a press conference to call for the immediate passage of the PRO Act, a comprehensive proposal to protect the rights of workers, which will rebuild the middle class, improve the lives of workers and their families, and create an economy where everyone can succeed
“The right to form a union is one of the most fundamental rights afforded to all workers. History has proven that when workers band together to collectively bargain, they secure higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As unions have come under attack from wealthy special interests, big multinational corporations, and their well-funded lobbyists, all workers – including non-union workers – have paid the price. That’s why I’m fighting so hard to pass the bipartisan PRO Act in Congress.” – Representative Magaziner
“Starbucks’ pushback against unionization highlights the need for increased labor protections. The PRO Act will protect our right to form and join unions. The PRO Act would make it harder for companies to interfere in workers’ union elections. And give us better tools to hold companies like Starbucks accountable when they violate labor laws.” – Cassandra Burke, former Starbucks organizer and employee
Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/7rLn-Ijczaw
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