Press Release from the Irish National Caucus
World Peace Prize Comes to Rhode Island George Nee, President, Rhode Island AFL-CIO
Presently, the World Peace Prize— founded in 1989 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea—is focusing on the huge contribution the Labor Movement has made to equality, justice and peace, not only nationally but globally.
And on Thursday, November 15, the World Peace Prize,” Roving Ambassador for Peace,” was presented to George Nee, noted Labor Leader, and President of Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
The presentation ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, Judge and Corporate Manager, World Peace Prize and Executive Vice President of the Capitol Hill-base Irish National Caucus. She welcomed the large turn-out in the Rhode Island Convention Center and introduced both Fr. Sean McManus, Chief Judge, World Peace Prize, and President of the Irish National Caucus. -READ MORE
Press Release from AFT
Brown University Graduate Employees Cast Historic Vote to Join American Federation of Teachers
PROVIDENCE—In an historic election, Brown University graduate employees have voted to unionize, with 60 percent voting yes, making them the second set of university graduate employees in a week that has joined the American Federation of Teachers.
In response to the vote, Kaitlyn Quaranta, a graduate assistant in French Studies said: “Hundreds of graduate workers stood up this week and sent a clear message that our labor for the university should not be taken for granted. Winning this election is about more than just improving working conditions for grads at Brown. In voting to unionize, we stood up for labor rights during an incredibly anti-labor administration.” -READ MORE
Providence Journal: Providence: Teachers OK new contract by a landslide
CRANSTON, R.I. — Providence teachers overwhelmingly voted to sign a three-year contract with the city following months of acrimony and protests by union members.
By a vote of 930 to 23, teachers approved a new agreement Thursday night after more than 430 days without a new contract.
The agreement, which now goes before the City Council for ratification, calls for salary increases of 2 percent retroactive to September, a 2 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2019, and a 1.25 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2020.
Maribeth Calabro, Providence Teachers Union President, said she felt the new language was reasonable and fair.
“It’s been two long, exhausting years,” she said after the paper ballot vote at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. “I’m pleased with the vote, and overwhelmed by the support of the membership. We’re looking to move forward. What’s past is past.” -READ MORE
Associated Press: Union: Workers ratify contract, end strike
BOSTON (AP) — A labor union says a 45-day strike by Marriott hotel workers in Boston is over after workers ratified a new contract agreement.
The Unite Here Local 26 union announced Saturday that workers approved the deal during an afternoon vote. Details were not released, but union officials say the contract addresses wages, job security and other issues.
A Marriott International spokeswoman confirmed the agreement and said Marriott officials look forward to welcoming workers back.
More than 1,500 union workers at seven Marriott hotels went on strike in early October after months of seeking better pay in contract negotiations. Organizers called it the city’s first-ever hotel strike.
More than 5,000 Marriott workers in San Francisco and Hawaii remain on strike, while agreements were reached in several other cities that ended walkouts.
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**Please Note**
Although the strike has ended, a request has been made to please continue to offer financial support to the Local 26 Strike Assistance Fund – Action Network. The length of the strike has taken a toll on the workers and any help during the holiday season will be greatly appreciated.Please make checks payable to: Local 26 Strike Fund and can be mailed to: Local 26 Strike Fund, C/O Nancy Iadeluca, 172 Longfellow Street, Providence, RI 02907Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Providence Journal: Initiative aims to help Rhode Islanders launch co-ops
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. — To an outside observer, the ball of blue Play-Doh in Leonardo Maldonado’s hands Saturday morning was just that.
To Claudia Galeano, a participant in an exercise to imagine and then market the Play-Doh as a bar of soap, it was a product that opened a universe of possibilities. “I’ll clean where no one else does!” the Pawtucket resident from Colombia said in Spanish.
“Madam, that is the new slogan of your cooperative,” Maldonado replied.
The exchange was part of a 10-week program at Navigant Credit Union to train Rhode Islanders to form worker cooperatives. It was organized by the POWER Network: a coalition of local labor organizations formed by Fuerza Laboral, Rhode Island Jobs with Justice and the Center for Justice. The acronym stands for People Owning Wider Economic Resources, according to the Fuerza Laboral website. -READ MORE
Providence Journal: Fane tower gains height variance from Providence City Council
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A New York developer is one step closer to building Rhode Island’s tallest tower in downtown Providence.
At a special meeting on Tuesday night, the Providence City Council approved a zoning variance that will allow developer Jason Fane to exceed local height restrictions and build a 600-foot luxury apartment tower on former Route 195 land.
The height exemption, which allows Fane to surpass by six-fold the 100-foot height limit of Parcel 42 along Dyer Street, will now go to Mayor Jorge Elorza’s desk.
The mayor has 10 days to veto it, sign it or allow it to pass without his signature.
Labor 411: These 14 Stores Refuse to Give Employees Thanksgiving Day Off
KITCHEN TABLE ECONOMICS
10: The minimum number of hours of rest flight attendants are now guaranteed by law.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Special Book Event – A History of America in TEN STRIKES by Erik Loomis
Presented by Rhode Island Labor History Society
When: Tuesday, November 27 @ 5 PM Where: UFCW, Local 328, 278 Silver Spring Street, Providence Details: URI Professor of History Erik Loomis will talk about his new book. The Rhode Island Labor History has acquired 50 copies of Erik’s book for purchase at a discounted rate of $5 for members! To arrange for purchase in advance, please email PCrowley@NEARI.org.
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Opioids and Your Workforce Seminar
When: Wednesday, November 28 @ 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Where: UA, Local 51 Plumbers & Pipefitters, 11 Hemingway Drive, East Providence Details: Several guest speakers will talk about what you need to know in your workforce. No charge for this event, but pre-registration is required. Call Mary Ellen @ 621-2228 for more information and to register.
THIS WEEK IN LABOR HISTORY
Unionist:
Nearly 1,550 typesetters begin what is to become a victorious 22-month strike against Chicago newspapers – 1947
George Meany becomes president of the American Federation of Labor following the death four days earlier of William Green – 1952
The first meeting between members of the newly-formed National Football League Players Association and team owners takes place in New York. Union founders included Frank Gifford, Norm Van Brocklin, Don Shula and Kyle Rote. They were asking for a minimum $5,000 salary, a requirement that their teams pay for their equipment, and a provision for the continued payment of salary to injured players. The players’ initial demands were ignored – 1956
NEXT WEEK ON LABOR VISION:
In another long format video, our own RI AFL-CIO President, George Nee, is honored by the World Peace Prize Awarding Council, a 14-member board of international and interfaith judges of the world’s nine major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Russian Orthodox, and Zoroastrianism for his unanimous selection of the “Roving Ambassador for Peace,” award Nov. 15 at the RI Convention Center. Father Sean McManus, president of the Washington, DC-based Irish National Caucus and chief judge of the WPPAC said, “Labor Leaders who spend their entire lives working in solidarity for justice for working men and women are, indeed , working for peace—not only nationally but also globally. Furthermore, our Peace Prizes encourage members of the Labor Movement to positively think of themselves as not just fighters for justice but as peace builders as well.” For those of us who know George, no better words could be used to describe him.
