Labor & Workers
Labor unions, workers' rights, and employment
School bus drivers and monitors authorize work action against Durham
The company has refused to commit to the most basic safety protocols including temperature and symptom checks of students at bus stops, has failed to properly train workers on cleaning protocols and health hazards associated with cleanin...
IATSE marches across Providence to draw attention to the plight of theater workers
"We need people to know to know that individuals, companies and organizations in our industry are on the brink of bankruptcy, and many workers have been pushed to the brink of homelessness, if not actually homeless." Nearly two hundred m...
Governor Raimondo intervenes ahead of nursing home strike; commits to fair resolution of safe staffing issue
“My office is fully committed to working with the Legislature and the leadership of SEIU District 1199 to reach a fair resolution of the staffing issues you have raised and to develop a minimum staffing standard.” From a press release: O...
With a month to go before school starts in Cumberland, school bus company won't negotiate contract in good faith, say workers
"We want to make sure we get them to school safely, that they're protected and we're protected, because that's what it's all about. We drive the most precious cargo in the world. We need an agreement with this company before school start...
Elected officials and community groups out in support of ready to strike nursing home workers
“The people who provide nursing care are engaged in holy work. But you would not know that by the way nursing home workers are treated in Rhode Island; they are overworked, underpaid, deprived of access to care for their own health and d...
Nursing home caregivers rally at State House for safe staffing and fair pay
“We have been fighting for safe staffing in our nursing homes for over a year, both through contract negotiations and supporting the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act,” said Adelina Ramos, a CNA at Greenville Center, “But instea...
Two more nursing homes announce strike deadlines amid National Strike for Black Lives
“It is no mystery to us that systemic racism plays a huge role in the fact that nursing home workers are expected to do the impossible while getting paid poverty wages. The industry has gotten away with it for years because we are overwh...
Safe staffing bill killed by House leadership; Strike pending at nursing homes
As nursing home workers prepare to strike, the House declines to pass a safe staffing bill, instead opting for a study commission. As workers rallied outside six Rhode Island nursing homes to demand safe staffing and adequate pay, House...
Caregivers vote to strike at three nursing homes for safe staffing and better working conditions
“Everyone in the country has recognized the heroic work of nursing home caretakers - it’s time for them to receive the tools they need. Thank you signs just aren’t going to cut it anymore.” After months of contract negotiations, caregive...
RI nursing home caregivers rally at State House to urge immediate passage of safe staffing legislation
“Every single day of the pandemic we’ve shown up to care for our residents despite short staffing, not enough PPE and the fear of getting sick and passing the virus along to our families. Many of my co-workers contracted coronavirus and...