Labor & Workers
Labor unions, workers' rights, and employment
Paid Leave for All National Bus Tour kicks off from Rhode Island
"We have the opportunity to finally catch up to the rest of the world, to finally do something meaningful for every working family in this country, to build back better and to make history, by finally passing Paid Leave for All in the United States," said Dawn Huckelbridge, National Director of Paid Leave for All. "Paid leave is a tool for public health, for economic resilience and growth, and for racial and gender equity."
Fatima Hospital workers hold informational picket as contract talks stall
“While top Prospect executives recently pocketed hundreds of millions of dollars in dividend payments and Fatima Hospital received more than $10 million of federal dollars in CARES Act money, they simultaneously have refused to treat patients, nurses and frontline health care professionals with the respect and dignity we deserve,” said UNAP Local 5110 President Laura McQuesten.
No compassion for workers at Greenleaf dispensary in Portsmouth
"I think cannabis should be legalized, absolutely, but it shouldn't be legalized so that rich white men can continue to build wealth," said Parker Terrell, a member of the Greenleaf Compassion Center union negotiating team.
After long battle, Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act becomes law
Previous to the mandated 3.8 hours, there was no specific number in place regarding patient care, said Adelina Ramos, a CNA at Greenville Nursing Center who works with seniors in a dementia unit. "So if they feel like giving you 15 residents a day, you have 15 residents an day and altogether you could have 40 minutes a day per resident. You have to rush through the day to get that many residents done, and you only have an eight hour shift."
The minimum wage in Rhode Island will be $15 - in 2025
"This pro-family legislation will raise wages for 112,000 Rhode Island workers who have spent the last year keeping our state afloat. We know that a $15 minimum wage will make a big difference in the lives of workers, help close the pay gap, and boost the economy, as it has in other states."
Rising inequality and stagnant wages was the goal of government policy says EPI report
Far from being the unfortunate and unavoidable result of apolitical market forces such as technological change and automation, wage stagnation is the direct result of a rigged system - policy choices made by the government in collusion with business and corporate opportunists.
A $15 minimum wage is within Rhode Island's grasp - But there's more to do
“We were able to pass this bill because of the years and years of hard work of so many Rhode Islanders who have been advocating for economic justice,” said Representative Ranglin-Vassell. "And while I want to take this moment to thank them for their hard work and congratulate all the working people whose burdens will be lightened as this bill takes effect, we still have far to go. The ‘fight for $15’ has been going on for so long that $15 is not really a living wage anymore. $15 is the floor, not the ceiling, and we cannot and must not stop working to ensure that Rhode Islanders who work full time can make ends meet."
CUPS organizing story: From unionization to worker-owned co-op café
The story of CUPS Cooperative - a worker owned, unionized Providence Café - in pictures.
Report: Inadequate staffing levels and low caregiver wages magnified nursing home crisis
The Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act (S0002, H5012) will alleviate the staffing crisis by setting a minimum staffing standard of 4.1 hours of care per resident day while creating a living wage for caregivers and needed training opportunities.
Shred-It workers in Pawtucket choose Teamsters Local 251
“We knew better than to fall for the company’s lies. I applaud my co-workers for sticking together.”