Providence Journal: Reaction to R.I.’s $9.6B budget proposal: Bad for nursing homes; some good news for kids
The proposed $9.6-billion state budget headed for a House vote later this week has elicited both sighs of relief — and groans — since its piece-by-piece unveiling late Friday night.
A blog dedicated to the challenges facing people with developmental disabilities carried this headline: “Crisis appears averted in RI DD Services.”
A leading advocate for children took to Twitter to cheer moves to keep state services available to children in state care until they reach age 21, to avert the new Medicaid co-pays that Gov. Gina Raimondo proposed at an early point in the budget debate, and to raise the state-subsidized rates paid child-care providers.
Also: ”$250 million bond for School Construction is in budget — will go before voters in Nov — key for quality education,″ tweeted Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island Kids Count. -READ MORE
Message sent from Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer, Principal Officer of Teamsters, Local 251
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Sarong Rath, DHLNH Teamster”
AFL-CIO: Grand Theft Paycheck: How Big Corporations Shortchange Their Workers
A new report, Grand Theft Paycheck: The Large Corporations Shortchanging Their Workers’ Wages, reveals that large corporations have paid out billions to resolve wage theft lawsuits brought by workers. The lawsuits show that corporations frequently force employees to work off the clock, cheat them out of legally required overtime pay and use other methods to steal wages from workers.
“Our findings make it clear that wage theft goes far beyond sweatshops, fast-food outlets and retailers. It is built into the business model of a substantial portion of Corporate America,” said Philip Mattera, the lead author of the report and director of research for Good Jobs First, which produced the report in conjunction with the Jobs With Justice Education Fund. -READ MORE
The Boston Globe: Negotiations on $15 minimum wage, other proposals, stall
Attempts to reach a compromise that would allow the Legislature to preempt a potential ballot question raising the state minimum wage have reached a stalemate, according to the coalition pushing for the wage increase.
If an agreement can’t be reached on the minimum wage issue — which is tied to complicated negotiations over paid family and medical leave and a sales tax cut — all three issues could go before voters in the fall. -READ MORE
The Westerly Sun: Westerly Education Center opens EB sheet metal course to high school students
Several local high school students are getting their foot in the door early at submarine builder Electric Boat, thanks to a course that teaches them valuable trade skills.
They’re taking a maritime sheet metal class offered by the Westerly Education Center as part of the workforce training program. It’s the first time the center has opened the program to students who are intent on entering the workforce right after graduation, which is coming soon for some. -READ MORE
Matthew Maini Facebook: Swearing in newly organized workers at DHLNH Strike
KITCHEN TABLE ECONOMICS
$204 per week: That’s the difference in weekly earnings between a worker who has a union and another with the same job but without the freedom to negotiate together with co-workers for fair pay and benefits.
AFL-CIO: Union-Made in America Father’s Day
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Where: Concord Street, Pawtucket, RI
Details: Couriers and dockworkers work hard for DHLNH. But the company pays poverty wages and denies affordable healthcare to its workforce. That’s why DHLNH workers are on strike in Rhode Island. For almost a year, we have asked the company to be fair to employees, but management refuses to provide fair wages, a secure retirement, or affordable healthcare. Contact Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters, Local 251 for more information at (401) 434-0454, ext. 227.
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2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters Night. Sponsored by R.I. Building Trades
When: Wednesday, June 20; BBQ @ 4:00 p.m. and game @ 6:15 p.m.
Where: McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket
Details: Join R.I. Building Trades at McCoy Stadium on Wednesday, June 20. They have been supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State for over a decade. Find out how you can become a mentor to a boy or girl. WATCH VIDEO
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Keep CLUWed In! – R.I. Coalition of Labor Union Women Chapter Celebration
When: Wednesday, June 27 at 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Ogie’s Trailer Park, 1155 Westminster St. Providence
Details: Join us for a night of fun and friends and solidarity. RI CLUW is the only organization in R.I. for union women. We have been working on issues affecting women and their families including wage inequality, labor trafficking and safe working conditions. Our plans going forward in this important mid-term election include voter registration and educating workers on candidate’s issues. Tickets: $25 – Sponsorships: $100 (5 Tickets). Pay at the door or mail checks payable to R.I. CLUW to Rhode Island AFL-CIO, 194 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908.
THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY
Unionist:
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THIS WEEK ON LABOR VISION:
Rhode Island AFL-CIO 