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
Please use this directory to find where you can buy union and use services in Rhode Island.
Bryant University Facilities Employees Vote to Join Rhode Island Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
North Providence- Rhode Island Council 94, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO announced that the Bryant University Facilities Employees voted in a secret ballot election to join Council 94. The election was ordered and supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. The ballots were tabulated/results announced on February 7, 2022.
J. Michael Downey, President of Council 94, explained, "Council 94 is excited to welcome the 84 Bryant University Facilities Employees as our newest members. The Bryant Facilities Employees have now joined forces with higher education employees at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College."
Derek Munschy, stated, "The Bryant Facilities Employees union, is comprised of maintenance, housekeepers, lock smiths, grounds workers, custodians, housekeepers, and truck drivers, whose hard work constitutes the backbone of Bryant University. Our members wanted to join a strong, democratic union that will allow our voice to be heard more clearly in the workplace. Council 94's assistance in negotiation, contract administration, and legal representation will make our union a stronger advocate to improve the quality of services and the wages/benefits of Facilities Employees at Bryant University."
John Burns, Senior Staff Representative for Council 94, stated, "We are very happy to work with the dedicated members of the Bryant University Facilities Union and thank our national union for assistance with this effort."
Council 94 represents over 4,000 state employees, 4,000 municipal employees, and 2,500 retirees.
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UFCW Local 328: Durham School Transportation Employees Secure Over $26,000 in Backpay
A big win for Local 328 members employed at Durham School Services! UFCW Local 328 joined representatives from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training on Monday, February 7th to distribute checks of unpaid Sunday and holiday time and a half pay to school bus drivers, monitors and aides employed at Durham School Services in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
When workers began organizing with our union, we learned that the company had not been adhering to state laws regarding premium pay on Sundays and holidays. We filed a complaint with the RI DLT to secure backpay for the workers. After an investigation, the DLT determined that the company should have been paying this benefit to employees and calculated the money owed. Yesterday, we joined the DLT to distribute that money back to workers. The amount of back pay totaled $26,515.39! Congratulations to the workers at Durham School Services on this victory!
Press Conference held on Tuesday with SEIU, Local 32BJ to highlight a new bill to protect our janitors and security staff!
Local 37 Ironworkers Facebook:
Capco Steel and Local 37 Topping Off the gaming expansion and spa at Ballys Twin River, Lincoln, RI
The Boston Globe: Labor and environmental coalition calls for R.I. to transition to a clean energy economy
A report by Cornell University researchers details crises involving climate change, the pandemic, and inequality, recommends major public projects involving wind energy, schools, and electrical grid
PROVIDENCE — In a new report, the Climate Jobs Rhode Island coalition and Cornell University researchers say Rhode Island is now facing three crises involving the climate, the pandemic, and inequality.
And the state could address all three crises at once by transitioning to a clean energy economy, according to the report, which calls for creating 1,300 megawatts of offshore wind energy, “decarbonizing” all K-12 schools by 2030, building 35,000 affordable “net zero” housing units by 2035, and modernizing the state’s electrical grid, among other things.
To pay for those big-ticket projects, the report suggests tapping a variety of federal funds, including the federal infrastructure bill, and it lays out a range of tax proposals, including a gas tax increase or a potential tax on the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.
AFL-CIO: Press Release
AFL-CIO Applauds White House Task Force’s Report Findings
February 7, 2022
Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the report from the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment
The Biden–Harris administration delivered another victory for working people today with the release of the first report from the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. This unprecedented report recognizes the critical role that unions play in creating a fairer economy. By taking steps to give more workers the right to organize and bargain collectively, the administration is once again demonstrating that it is committed to using its power to support unions.
Now, Congress must do its part. In order to fully empower workers, it is time to pass both the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which will ensure that every worker who wants to join a union may freely do so. We are committed to working with the administration to implement these recommendations, and we look forward to the task force’s next report in six months.
Contact: Liz Vlock 202-637-5018
Labor 411: Ethical Eats for Sport’s Biggest Day
Ponder, for a moment, how much money will be spent on or around Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, February 13. We’re not just talking about tickets to the big game itself should you be lucky (or wealthy) enough to score a seat. Think about the TV ad revenue and the economic boost to the tourism around the host city, in this case L.A. Consider the bars and restaurants that will get a bump from watch events and the countless parties in homes across America. Chances are, you’ll be spending on the Super Bowl, yourself. Consider the food and drinks that you will bring into your own house for your party. Even with supply chain issues, the discerning shopper has choices when s/he peruses the supermarket aisles. For sport’s biggest day, we recommend the brews and bites listed below which are made by ethical companies who treat their workers fairly and give them a voice on the job. A great game is always that much more enjoyable when combined with ethical edibles.
So, whether you’ve got the Rams or the Bengals, enjoy the game, shop smart, stay safe and let’s all help build a stronger America.
**Remember to purchase your food and beverages from Stop & Shop, Shaws and Eastside Marketplace where our union brothers and sisters work.
The Union Boot Pro:
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TEAMSTERS, Local 251
SOLIDARITY WITH JOHNSON BROTHERS WORKERS
Please visit the picket line and show Johnson Brothers that workers stick together and will not be treated like second-class citizens.
Picket lines are at:
Johnson Brothers of Rhode Island
120 Moscrip Ave
North Kingstown RI 02852
Key times are 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Let Johnson Brothers know about your concerns at:
651-649-5800 (Corporate) or 401-583-0050 (Rhode Island)
Donations can be made to: Teamsters Local 251 Strike Fund, 121 Brightridge Ave. East Providence RI 02914
Are you following us on Social Media? Click on the links below.
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.
LABOR VISION
Coming up on Labor Vision …
RI AFL-CIO 2022 Legislative Priorities With George Nee. President & Patrick Crowley, Secretary-Treasurer, RI AFL_CIO
Show host Autumn Guillotte sits down with Rhode Island AFL-CIO President George Nee and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Crowley to talk about labor’s legislative priorities for 2022.
The past year has seen many victories, including workers winning the $15 minimum wage, the passage of the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act, legislation protecting workers in the school bus industry, an increase of Temporary Caregivers Insurance to 5 weeks, and the Act on Climate.
This year brings more goals to build on last year’s success. Some of the priorities include:
~ Making Wage Theft a Felony
~ Moratorium on funding for charter schools and mayoral academies
~ Extend TCI to 6 weeks and beyond, as well as increasing dependency benefits
~ Extend contracts of the school bus drivers to the school lunch workers in the state
~ Make sure domestic workers get covered under minimum wage
~ Support #GreenHealthySchoolsRI
(You can watch our full episode on this campaign here: https://youtu.be/FoGt4apIIaw)
~ Provisions for a Just Transition to a Green Economy
~ And implementing Labor’s ARPA Spending Recommendations: https://rhodeislandaflcio.org/arpa-recommendations
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