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.
Let’s make sure that fraudulent contractors can’t get away with stealing from their workers. Let’s make wage theft a felony.
Watch Rhode Island AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Crowley’sfull speech at a rally to end wage theft here.
The Boston Globe: Home-based childcare providers in R.I. need a fair contract
“I have watched firsthand as the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the childcare workforce,” one childcare provider says. “The governor has a chance to do all that this year, and he can start by settling a fair contract with home childcare providers like me.”
I am a childcare provider who operates a home-based family childcare in Johnston. I was pleased to see an op-ed by Governor Dan McKee and Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos highlighting the importance of investing in our state’s childcare system.
I have watched firsthand as the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the childcare workforce. The governor and lieutenant governor are right: the childcare system IS in crisis. Providers are leaving the profession, and those of us who remain are struggling. As McKee and Matos write, we need better wages. We need to extend free and subsidized childcare to more parents. And we need to strengthen educational offerings for providers. The governor has a chance to do all that this year, and he can start by settling a fair contract with home childcare providers like me.
I, and providers like me, work every day to provide the best start in life for kids in our care. Yet we do this work without adequate pay/funding, without paid assistants, without adequate paid time off, without retirement benefits, and in some cases, without healthcare. McKee talks about investing in childcare. But the contract he is proposing to home childcare providers leave providers like me behind. Read more here.
General Teamsters Local 251 Facebook: Local 251 Members At Frito Lay Unanimously Authorize Strike
After hearing the status of negotiations with Frito-Lay, members of Teamsters Local 251 who work in route sales and merchandising based out of the Cranston RI facility, voted unanimously to authorize a strike if necessary! These workers are upset over the disrespect shown by the company and paltry wages being discussed in bargaining. More bargaining is scheduled, and the members demand a fair contract.
Building Futures Facebook:
Today we honored #WorkersMemorialDay and National Building Trades #Recovery Week with RI Building & Construction Trades Council, @Dimeo Construction, the Joint Venture, and many Building Futures grads at the Johnston Amazon job site Stand Down.
Thank you Michael Sabitoni and Bob Kunz for sharing wellness & recovery resources and making sure everyone knows that when it comes to mental health and substance use, we all have a role in looking out for one another.
Learn more at: https://www.bfri.org/opioidresponse/
Press Conference with 1199 SEIU Rhode Island supporting developmental disability professionals and advocates who are urging for the passage of legislation aimed at boosting wages to $21/hour! S 2407 and H 7390 will raise wages starting July 1, 2023 to address chronic staffing turnover and shortages.
Packed room this week at the State House for the Fuerza Laboral 4th Annual Cooperative Day.
Basic / Advanced Steward Training
When: Saturday, May 21
Where: Institute for Labor Studies and Research, 1540 Pontiac Avenue, Suite A, Cranston, RI 02920
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Seating is limited to 15 seats
Please reply by Monday, May 16, 2022, with the names and emails of the stewards directly to info@riilsr.org or by telephone (401) 463-9900.
Johnston Firefighters Local 1950 Facebook:
Johnston Firefighters Local 1950’s Delegation along with President Andriole and Staff Advocate Neil at the RISAFF Biennial Convention.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Free Virtual Training: OSHA: Recognizing and Controlling Workplace Hazards
This is a free, virtual training that will introduce the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It will discuss the Rights and Responsibilities that the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires of employers and employees. We will discuss some of the basic concepts of OSHA and the fundamental policies that OSHA uses to carry out its duties.
This will be a training to talk about the basics of OSHA and its operation.
When: May 12, 2022 @ 1 p.m.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvde6ppjouG9dkX_Q1akybRc1sJQgQtN86
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Providence Federation of Musicians
Spring addition of the Cavalcade of Bands
When: Tuesday, May 31
Where: Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket
Dancing: 5:30 – 10:30 p.m.
For more information and a list of bands performing, click here.
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R.I. Labor History Society: 2022 Spring Speaker Series
Fighting for freedom at home and abroad: The story of Boilermakers Local 308 and the
end of Jim Crow unions
Date:
Monday, June 6, 2022
Speaker:
Patrick Crowley, Organizer and Government Affairs Specialist with the NEARI and Secretary-Treasurer of RI AFL-CIOFor more information and topics see here.
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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 …
Show host Autumn sits down with Lori DiMatteo, Volunteer Coordinator for United Way and Jocelynn White, Executive Director of Books are Wings, to talk about this year’s Children’s Book Drive.
The Children’s Book Drive is a collaborative effort between United Way of Rhode Island, Women United, and Books Are Wings to engage local businesses, community organizations, individuals, and families in fostering a love of reading, while encouraging children to build their own libraries at home. This will be their tenth year collecting books. Over the past nine years, they have put 245,766 books into the hands of children statewide.
How you can participate:
When: April – May 25th, 2022
Where:
- Book Pick-Up Day is Wednesday, May 25th
- Please drop off your books at United Way on Tuesdays from April 12 – May 24. Contact bookdrive@unitedwayri.org.
- Day of Action will be held on June 4 to sort, label, and prepare the books for distribution to children in summer learning and afterschool programs. Sign up at uwriweb.org/DayofAction2022 or contact volunteer@unitedwayri.org to volunteer.
Collection Sites:
- United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley St., Providence
- Books Are Wings, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Suite 711B, Pawtucket
- All other: https://www.unitedwayri.org/press-release/childrens-book-drive-2022/
CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT LABOR: https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/labor/
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Rhode Island AFL-CIO 