While NEARI, the state’s suburban teachers’ union, is vociferously backing Pell, a diverse group of public and private sector unions launched today calling itself “Working Families for Angel.”

In a press release the group said: “Angel Taveras is the only Democratic candidate in this race who knows the stresses working families are under.  Angel was raised by a single mother; his first job was a unionized bagger and cashier at a grocery store; worked his way through law school; and as Mayor has collaboratively solved problems with his employees to move Providence forward. We will convey this message to our members and their families, utilizing every communication avenue possible and look forward to the Democratic Primary Election on September 9th.  We are confident that come Election Day our members’ voices will be heard.”

The group plans on making contact with 16,000 union households, it said in the press release. “A coalition this size could represent more than 30% of this year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary voters, and provide a massive boost to Angel Taveras’ campaign,” it said.

The group includes, according to the press statement:

…the Rhode Island State Association of Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO; RI Council 94, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO;  United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 328; United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 791; International Brotherhood of Police Officers, National Association of Government Employees, SEIU, AFL-CIO;  Service Employees International Union, Local 580, AFL-CIO; Brotherhood of Utility Workers Council, Local 310, United Utility Workers of America, AFL-CIO; and International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 400, AFL-CIO.

North Providence – When Lynn Loveday visited Harrington Hall (the state’s largest homeless shelter that routinely houses 88 men a night) she was appalled. She left that visit determined to do something to address a situation that seemed to her unacceptable and immoral. Fortunate for homeless advocates, Loveday’s compassion and commitment was backed by RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO where Loveday serves as the State Vice-President.

After educating herself about the issue of homelessness, Loveday sought to work on addressing both the short and long-term problems of homelessness that led to 4,868 Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness in 2012. To deal with the short-term problems, Loveday involved the Council in holding a donation drive to collect much-needed items for the shelters. The donation drive began prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday and concluded this week.On Wednesday, December 18th staff from various homeless shelters around the state came to the Council offices to collect the hundreds of donated items.

Speaking at the event, Loveday explained, “Rhode Island Council 94, AFSCME members and the State of Rhode Island conducted a donation drive to help the homeless this Holiday Season. The donation drive focused on clothing items that will help keep homeless citizens warm. Hundreds of items, including 200 jackets, scarves, hats, and shoes were collected. While these donations represent only a small step in combating homelessness, I am proud that state employees helped Rhode Islanders who lack shelter, the most fundamental necessity during winter.”

At least if Council 94 was going to hire a blogger to do opposition research on its behalf, it should have shopped local! This is not at all any kind of slight on Ted Siedle, but I don’t believe there’s anything he can uncover about our pension investments that Tom Sgouros can’t do at least as well.

Sgouros, in addition to being the policy/financial wizard, is also a progressive Democrat who decided not to run for treasurer after labor threw its support behind Gina Raimondo. He also just wrapped up a very similar kind of forensic investigation into how the state uses the NECAP tests. I think he’s well qualified for this kind of employment.

Shop locally, Council 94, and offer the job of blogger-for-hire to Tom Sgouros too!