Raimondo’s pension cuts benefited hedge funds more than RI, says Brown
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown attacked pension cuts for state employees dating back to Governor Raimondo’s previous role as state treasurer at a town-hall style “Restore Our Pensions” event at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence on Monday evening. The event came mere hours after WPRI published polling results showing Brown lagging behind in name […]
Medicare for All would save RI money—and here’s the math
Would health care in Rhode Island cost less if everyone had access to it? The question, brought to the national stage in arguments surrounding Sen. Bernie Sanders’s Medicare for All plan, came to Rhode Island repeatedly this week, whether it was when Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown announced his own Medicare for All plan, or in […]
Hundreds march as UNAP begins 3-day strike
The sound outside of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence was deafening on Monday afternoon as hundreds of nurses and other members of Local 5098 of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) began their three-day strike for a fairer contract. The union’s previous contract with the hospital ended on June 30. Both […]
Hotel workers to picket Omni hotel for affordable health care
Organizers and workers from Local 26 are picketing the Omni Providence hotel on Friday afternoon to call for fairer access to affordable health care for hotel workers. Omni’s contract with the union expired at the end of this January, and the hotel has been in negotiations for a renewed deal since this May. Jonah Zinn, […]
Graduate workers at Brown dodge Trump’s labor board in historic agreement
Graduate workers at Brown University announced a landmark agreement with the university Thursday afternoon, paving the way for one of the first collective bargaining agreements for graduate employees at a private institution in the country. Graduate teaching and research assistants at public universities have long had access to collective bargaining rights, as they fall under […]
Lawyers are winning EG’s war against its public sector
Time will tell how the East Greenwich Town Council’s cost-cutting crusade will affect future budgets. The full financial picture won’t be clear until the mounting pile of lawsuits are sorted out years from now, and homeowners learn if an antagonistic campaign to shrink local government in an upscale suburb known for good schools and nice […]
CNAs picket for ‘good jobs, fair wages and quality care’ outside Pawtucket Genesis
“In Rhode Island nursing home workers need to earn a living wage to stay in the job,” said Deb Armfield, a CNA at Pawtucket Genesis for almost twenty-eight years.
EFSB grants Charlestown intervenor status, power plant hearings delayed
As a result of this ruling, the EFSB must hold a public hearing in Charlestown with 30 days’ advance notice.
Survey illustrates challenges for transgender and gender non-conforming Rhode Islanders
“The findings reveal disturbing patterns of mistreatment and discrimination and startling disparities between transgender people in the survey and the US population…”
Burrillville shines at EFSB’s last public comment hearing
“I think this was an amazing public comment hearing,” said EFSB Chair Margaret Curran after the speakers were finished.
Migrant Justice signs dairy farm worker human rights agreement with Ben & Jerry’s
For Migrant Justice, this is just the beginning. As the program is rolled out on the farms in Ben & Jerry’s supply chain, Migrant Justice will be preparing to expand Milk with Dignity to other companies.
Valerie Lawson to primary Daniel DaPonte in Senate District 14, East Providence
Valarie Lawson announced today that she is a candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 14, East Providence. She will be running against incumbent Daniel DaPonte, who has served in that position since 1999.
After 7 years, Housekeepers at Renaissance Providence Hotel have union contracts
“Sometimes hotel housekeepers feel we are invisible even though we do hard, important work,” said housekeeper Raquel Cruz. “We’re so proud of our accomplishments both at work and with our new union agreement.”
Serving up some old time religion at Wexford groundbreaking
Groundbreaking ceremonies are little rituals. Politicians and business people come together, don hard hats and grab shovels in pantomime of laborers, and toss dirt in the air.
Milk With Dignity: Vermont dairy farm workers want Ben & Jerry’s to honor their human rights
The tour is building support for a national day of action on October 5th with protests and actions outside Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shops across the United States.
Sarita Gupta and Jobs With Justice announce Rhodycare campaign
Under Rhodycare, “all Rhode Islanders pay into the system through a paycheck deduction and when it comes time to pay for childcare or eldercare you access your pooled contribution.”
ProJo gives teachers short shrift, reporter complains about property taxes
Not all news stories are created equally, and not all political interest groups get equal treatment in the Providence Journal. For example, the ProJo covered both the National Educational Association of Rhode Island and the Center for Freedom and Prosperity when the teachers’ union and the anti-tax activists each launched television advertisements. But for some […]
Unions fight racism, xenophobia, and class struggle for Labor Day
With the events of Charlottesville and the death of Heather Hyer still smoldering in our memories, hundreds of Rhode Islanders representing dozens of labor, political and advocacy groups came together to celebrate the accomplishments of organized labor and to condemn racism, white supremacy and the rise of fascism.
CNAs, care providers kick off Labor Day with a demand for $15 minimum wage
“We make poverty wages while our executive offices pull six figures a year… While we’re qualifying for food stamps after working forty hours a week,” said Karen Baldwin, a Direct Care Provider. “I live on $11.35 an hour. We still qualify for food stamps and RIte Share.”
DARE challenges RI Housing on Housing Bond criteria
We are here to let [RIH] know that they have to use the bond for what it was originally sanctioned for, and that is to help low and lower income folks have an apartment, stay in their apartment, and help them have some stability in their life.”
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