Labor & Workers
Labor unions, workers' rights, and employment
Seven Stars Bakery employees in Providence file for union elections
“We, the dedicated undersigned employees of Seven Stars Bakery at Hope St., Point St., and Broadway, in Providence, RI, formally request Seven Stars Bakery to recognize United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328 (UFCW 328) and begin the bargaining process..."
Essential healthcare workers hold State House rally to demand investment now, not later
“At the same time demand has spiked, staffing is the worst I have ever seen,” said Ian Lacombe, a Registered Nurse who has worked at Butler Hospital for 20 years. “Higher demand and COVID’s effect on staff has led to more hours with less people working, a perfect storm for high burnout.”
RI's labor movement welcomes unionizing Starbucks workers
"We feel really good about where we are," said Starbucks worker and union organizer Cassie Burke. "Everyone's on the same page: We're ready to make this happen together."
Starbucks workers in Warwick hold informational picket ahead of unionization vote
"We feel really good about where we are,” said union organizer Cassie Burke, an employee at the Pace Blvd Starbucks. "Everyone’s on the same page; we’re ready to make this happen together."
Casino workers rally and march to Bally’s HQ in Providence to demand full staffing and substantial raises
"Bally’s employees are fighting for what they deserve: a fair contract so they can make a decent living, get back on their health benefits, and not feel exhausted after completing a work shift," said Michael Kramer, Vice-President of UNITE HERE Local 26.
Home Childcare Providers call on Governor McKee to settle fair contract
"We work hard, we perform to the highest standards, and we deserve adequate benefits," said Alexandra Flores, who's been a home childcare provider for over 20 years. "If the Governor wants to prove he's serious about investing in childcare providers like me, he needs to offer us a fair contract."
Problematic Senate minimum wage study commission passes out of committee
"Unwittingly, I gave the Senate President a way to give the proposed commission the appearance of more fairness by putting Senator Ciccone in charge. But the same anti-minimum wage lobbyists were all going to be on the commission, passing judgement, voting on findings, asking misleading questions of those coming in to testify, and contributing to the final report..."
Safeguarding Our Local Economies: Cooperative businesses on display at RI State House
"The social and solidarity economy is a different way of understanding the economy that puts people and the environment at the center. It is universal. It is growing through fair trade, ethical finance, social organizations, cooperatives, and more. It is a model of social transformation that values the needs, skills, and contributions of people and reinvests its profits into society," said Heiny Maldonado, Executive Director of Fuerza Laboral.
Black public safety officer at Providence College details ongoing racist attacks by co-workers
"The instances of racial harassment that I experience at PC demonstrate the implicit bias of the community where the leadership does not take these concerns seriously or take steps to stop this behavior and educate the campus community," said Public Safety Lieutenant John Dunbar. "Providence College will never be a 'Beloved Community' when racial discrimination is allowed to continue."
Blackstone Valley Community Health Center workers picket for fair contract
"Management needs to think more about us," said Jessenia Espinal, a Blackstone employee for nine years. "We have families to support, bills to pay, responsibilities - We're just asking for what is fair."