E-News: May 9, 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
**Press Release**
For immediate release
For more information contact:
Patrick Crowley, Rhode Island AFL-CIO
Patrick@riaflcio.org
1-401-330-6870
Union School Bus Drivers, Monitors and Aides Call on Rhode Island Department of Education to Protect their Wage Standards and Job Protections from New Non-Union Company
(PROVIDENCE, RI) – Amid an ongoing nationwide staffing shortage, union bus drivers, monitors, and aides and their unions are calling on Rhode Island’s Department of Education (RIDE) to protect employees and students by not allowing a new company to undermine their rights, wage standards, and job protections that have been established through legally binding union contracts.
Since March 2024, RIDE has continued courting a mostly non-union company, DATTCO, as the potential replacement for the First Student statewide bus contract on a significant number of statewide bus runs. DATTCO is offering wages and benefits that are significantly below the majority of current union contracts. Yet if RIDE gives the current assignment of unionized yards to the lower paid contractor, workers may be forced to receive unnecessary pay cuts and benefit changes.
Additionally, DATTCO is actively trying to recruit workers from their union employer by sending text messages offering $3,000 in bonuses if workers abdicate their union. “We have worked hard with First Student through union negotiations to ensure a decent industry wage standard and benefits to not only attract new employees but to also retain the highest quality professionals in the industry in order to help our employer meet their contractual obligations. Now, DATTCO employees have reached out to many of our members, trying to poach and entice with sign-on bonuses and even scare tactics,” said Lorene Hamel, a First Student Bus Driver that has worked in the Lincoln bus yard for 11 years. This location is represented by 1199 SEIU. Read more here.
AFL-CIO: NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, May 11
Memorandum from Elizabeth H. Shuler, President
The AFL-CIO is proud again to partner with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, which will be held on Saturday, May 11. Last year, NALC members and volunteers collected more than 40 million pounds of food, and we hope to continue that solidarity in 2024.
Working in partnership with labor unions, AFL-CIO central bodies, the network of AFL-CIO–United Way labor liaisons, United Way Worldwide and our nation’s food security advocates, NALC gets food into the cupboards of those in need. Working people may assist by placing a bag of unopened, nonperishable food next to our mailboxes the morning of May 11, and letter carriers will do the rest. Once collected, the food is sorted and delivered by union volunteers to area food banks or pantries. Please publicize and promote this day of service for the NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive among your members. With the support of unions and America’s working families, NALC can collect more food and help more families in need.
For more information, please check out NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive toolkit. Thank you for your dedication in supporting our families and communities.
Should you have any questions, please contact Kristie Small, director of the United Way Worldwide Partnership at the AFL-CIO, at ksmall@aflcio.org.
Teamsters FaceBook:
The 2024 Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division Conference kicked off today as more than 150 Teamsters from across the country gathered to hear from General President Sean M. O’Brien, Passenger Transportation Division Director Matt Taibi, International Vice President At-Large Juan Campos, and Joint Council 25 President Thomas Stiede about industry trends, building union density, and resources available to Teamsters affiliates.
“If we’re not organizing, we are dying. And you all know that there are very strong opportunities to organize in the passenger transportation division,” O’Brien said. “Since taking office, we’ve been extremely successful in organizing new members—especially in the passenger transportation industry.”
Since March 2022, the Passenger Transportation Division has brought in more than 1,100 new members.
“Bus drivers, monitors, and aides are choosing to form their union with the Teamsters because they see the historic contracts we are winning and they want their piece of the pie,” Taibi said. “We are capitalizing on our National Master Agreement with First Student and neutrality with Student Transportation of America and organizing as many yards as we can—and we aren’t slowing down.”
“Our members know that they are our bosses,” said Campos. “We are out in every state talking with members about what is important to them. We get our directives from our membership and that’s how we differentiate our union. Workers want a union that listens to them.”
This afternoon, attendees will take part in a variety of workshops and hear from other division leaders and representatives.
NEA of RI Facebook:
Cumberland teachers united to pack the town hall and ask the town council to fully fund our schools.
The Institute for Labor Studies & Research has scheduled a Negotiation Training Workshop
A two-session program that will prepare negotiations committee members to develop, cost and present proposals. Participants will be exposed to the steps necessary for successful negotiations. The second session will be devoted to a three-hour mock negotiation, where participants will put into practice the skills acquired in the first session.
Dates/Times
Saturday – June 8, 2024: 9 am – 4 pm, Training in Negotiation
Tuesday – June 11, 2024, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Mock Negotiations*
*Mock Negotiations participation requires attendance at the Training in Negotiation session. Attendance at both sessions is required for completion.
Location
Institute for Labor Studies & Research
1540 Pontiac Ave, Suite A
Cranston, RI 02920
Cost $20 pp (No charge for RI AFL-CIO affiliated members)
Deadline: Thursday May 30, 2024
Registration is on a first come first served basis – spots are limited.
Contact Denise Cesino – dcesino@riilsr.org, 401-463-9900, dial 7 to register
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park First Strike Festival
Join us for community celebration and 200-year commemoration of the first industrial worker’s strike in the United States.
Hosted at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 12 PM – 4 PM in downtown Pawtucket, RI.
THINGS TO DO:
Tours and Talks
- Tour Slater Mill with a ranger (10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 2:30 PM)
Meet in front of Slater Mill – limited to 25 persons
- Drop in for a Labor History Talk with a ranger (offered on the hour, 1, 2, 3)
Meet in the Slater Mill Bell Tower
- First Strike History Open Air Presentation with a ranger (11:30 AM, 3:30 PM)
Outdoor discussion led by a ranger
Music and Dancing
Presented By: Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark
- Dates: May 11, 2024
- Location: Slater Mill
- Address: 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, 02860
- Phone: (401) 318-4489
- Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Price: Free
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LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE DAY OF ACTION AT THE STATE HOUSE
TUESDAY, MAY 14 3-5PM
Join the Leadership for the Future Class of 2024 for a day of advocacy and education at the State House rotunda on May 14, from 3-5PM.
This year’s class has brought together organizers from RI community groups and labor unions. They will be presenting their Community Action Projects and directly advocating for policies to help workers in RI. Stop by the State House Rotunda and learn about the fantastic work participants are doing in the community.
Your participation in this event would be greatly appreciated. Please share the above invitation far and wide!
If you have any questions, reach out to Haley at 401-463-9900 or Autumn at 401-316-1359.
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Proudly Presents:
CAVALCADE OF BANDS
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024
5:30 PM
RHODES ON THE PAWTUXET CRANSTON, RI
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United Way of RI: 2024 Children’s Book Drive
Providence, R.I. (March 1, 2024) United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is returning for its twelfth year. In April and May, United Way is once again partnering with Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home.
Rhode Islanders are invited to buy and ship books, drop off new and gently used books at a community collection site, or host a drive with their family, friends, or coworkers.
If you want a voice on the job or to build a better workplace, click the here to start organizing and taking action.
NEW EPISODE: RI AFL-CIO LUNCH & LEARN “ALL ABOUT ILSR”
This Labor Vision episode covers the RI AFL-CIO Lunch & Learn on the Institute for Labor Studies & Research. Autumn Guillotte, RI AFL-CIO Field Director, is joined by Robert Delaney, ILSR Executive Director, Haley De La Rosa, Labor Liaison, Fatima Martin, Director of Pathways to Education Professions, and Kevin McElroy, Occupational Health & Safety Program Coordinator to share about ILSR’s history, trainings, classes, and programs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBQLSWSAmdQ
Visit the ILSR website to learn more: www.riilsr.org
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