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JULY 2011

MASSACHUSETTS

MA National Association of Government Employees Files Lawsuit Against Trial Court TheNationalAssociationofGovernmentEmployees(NAGE)LegalDepartmentfiledalawsuitinU.S.DistrictCourtinMassachusettslastmonthagainsttheTrialCourtandtheProbationDepartment,allegingtheTrialCourt’spromotionalprocesswasfraudulentandviolatedmembers’FirstAmendmentrighttobefreefromdiscriminationbasedonpoliticalaffiliation. TheunionretainedrenownedcivilrightsattorneyandHarvardLawSchoolProfessorCharlesOgletree,andtheprestigiousWashington,D.C.laborlawfirm,Bredhoff&Kaiser,toworkwithNAGEGeneralCounselRichardL.Barry,Jr.,DeputyGeneral

CounselJeanZeiler,AttorneyMichaelManningandtheNAGELegalDepartment. ThelawsuitcomesafterthereportofIndependentCounselPaulWarerevealedmassivehiringfraudwithintheProbationDepartment.AreportissuedshortlythereafterbyacommissionledbyformerMassachusettsAttorneyGeneralScottHarshbargerindicatedsimilarhiringandpromotionabusesintheTrialCourt. TheremedyNAGEseeksisthereopeningoftheprocessforfillingthepositionsthatwerefilledonthebasisofcandidates’politicalaffiliations.Morethan100probationofficeremployeeshavefiledclaimswiththe

unionindicatingtheybelievedtheywereillegallydeniedpromotion. “WewillholdaccountabletheindividualsanddepartmentswhosystematicallyengagedinaconspiracytodenymemberstheirrighttohiringandpromotionwithintheProbationDepartmentandtheTrialCourt,”saidNationalPresidentDavidJ.Holway.“Thedepthandbreadthofthecorruptionhereisalmostbeyondcomprehensionanditsreachextendsbeyondjustthemember.Weoweittoourmembersandtheirfamiliestoseekjusticetothefullestextent.”

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES,

Plaintiff, v.

ROBERT MULLIGAN, Chief Justice for Administration and Management of the Trial Court, and RONALD CORBETT, JR, Acting Commissioner of Probation, in their official capacities; and JOHN O’BRIEN, ELIZABETH TAVARES, FRANCIS WALL, PATRICIA WALSH, WILLIAM BURKE, BERNARD DOW, and JOHN DOES 1-15 in their individual capacities,

Defendants.

CASE NO.

COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND DAMAGES

I. INTRODUCTION 1. For a decade, the Massachusetts Probation Service (“Probation Service”), at the instance of its then-Commissioner, Defendant John O’Brien, and with the active assistance of other senior officials in the Probation Service who conspired with him, systematically made employment decisions motivated by the unconstitutional criteria of political affiliation and political association in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, instead of choosing employees according to merit and seniority as required by regulations promulgated by the Massachusetts Trial Court and by the collective bargaining agreement between the Probation Service and Plaintiff National Association of Government Employees (“NAGE”). This systemic unconstitutional appointment policy of the Probation Service under O’Brien was detailed in a public report issued in November 2010 by an independent counsel appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court, Paul Ware. As the Ware Report makes clear, Defendants’ discrimination on the basis of political association and affiliation

Case 1:11-cv-11123 Document 1 Filed 06/22/11 of 28

MA AFL-CIO President Robert Haynes not seeking re-election PresidentRobertHaynesoftheMassachusettsAFL-CIOannouncedhewillnotbeacandidateforre-electionaspresidentinthisfall’selection.Heplanstoretireandspendmoretimewithfamilyandfriends.Haynesmaintainedtheofficeofpresidentfortwenty-fouryearsduringwhichheandhisstaffmadesignificantgainsinpolitics,communityserviceandmedia. Haynesaidedintheefforttoincreasetheminimumwage,protecttheprevailingwage,andsupportthelateSenatorEdwardM.Kennedy.HayneshelpedcreateamilliondollarscholarshipendowmentandincreasedMassachusettsAFL-CIOscholarshipstoovera

milliondollarsayearaswellasestablishedtheMassAFL-CIOCancerWalkthatraisesalmostamilliondollarsayearforcancerresearch. HaynesalsohelpeddevelopnumerousprogramssuchasaninternprogramfortheAFL-CIO,aFuturesprogram,WorkingMassachusetts,WorkforceDevelopmentandGrantsProgram.HeaidedinprovidingapositivevoiceforunionsthroughhisworkwithTheWeeklyLaborReader,CommonGround,CommonwealthofToil,TheFutureofWorkandanelectroniccommunicationsnetwork. Haynesexplainedthatwithchangingtimes,newstrategiesandinnovativethinkingisnecessaryfortoday’schallenges.Hechallenged

theyoungerlabormembersandleaderstoinspireanewgenerationofunionmembers. Haynesalsoexplainedthatachangeinlaborleadershipcanresultinlaborsuccessforayoungergeneration. “Iamprofoundlyconvincedthatnowisthetimeforanewgenerationofleadership,andIthinkweshouldallowthemtocreatethestrategythatwilldeterminetheirfuture,”saidHaynes. Theelectionforanewpresident,scheduledtotakeplaceonOctober6,2011,willbeheldtheMassachusettsAFL-CIO54thAnnualConvention.

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HIT to invest $58 Million to build Boston’s Charlesview apartments TheAFL-CIOHousingInvestmentTrust(HIT)announcedlastmonthitwillinvest$58.2millionofunionpensioncapitalinconstructionofthenewCharlesviewApartmentsinBoston.Withatotaldevelopmentcostof$152million,theprojectwillbuild240unitsofaffordablerentalunits,whilecreatingapproximately860unionconstructionjobs. TheCharlesviewApartments,whichwillbebuiltinBoston’sBrightonneighborhood,willreplaceanolder213unitapartmentdevelopmentofthesamenamelocatedapproximatelytwoblocksaway.Thenewdevelopmentwillalsohave213unitsofaffordablehousingwhileaddinganother27housingunits.Thenewcomplexfeaturestownhouseandmid-riseapartmentbuildings,aswellasparkingandover23,000squarefeetofretailandcommunityspace.

Currenttenantswillberelocatedtothenewdevelopment. “ThissubstantialnewinvestmentfromtheAFL-CIOHousingInvestmentTrustwillhelpBostonaddresstheever-growingdemandforhighquality,affordablehousing,”saidBostonMayorThomasMenino.“WevaluethecommitmenttheHIThasdemonstratedovertheyearstomeetingthediversehousingneedsofourresidents,especiallylow-incomehouseholdsandworkingfamilies.” JohnJ.Sweeney,ChairmanoftheHITandPresidentEmeritusoftheAFL-CIO,said,“TheHITisproudtobepartoftheCharlesviewdevelopmentteamthatisworkingtomaintaingood,affordablehousinginBoston.” OftheCharlesview’s240units,221willbesetasideforhouseholdsthatmeetSection8

orLowIncomeHousingTaxCrediteligibility.Theremaining19willbereservedforcurrentCharlesviewresidentswithoutincomerestrictions. Tohelpfinancetheproject,theHIThaspartneredwithTheCommunityBuilders,thelargestnonprofiturbanhousingdeveloperinthecountry,andMassHousing,thestatehousingfinanceagency.TheHITisprovidingbridgeloansthroughthepurchaseof$34.7millionoftax-exemptbondsand$23.5millionoftaxablebondsfromMassHousing.“TheHIT’sinvestmenthashelpedleverageadditionalcapitaltomakethismuch-anticipatedhousingprojectareality,”saidTomO’Malley,directoroftheHIT’sNewEnglandRegionalOfficeinBoston. Allon-siteconstructionworkatCharlesviewApartmentswillbeperformedby100%unionlabor.

Massachusetts Senate proposal makes slight changes to House’s municipal health plan TheMassachusettsStateSenateapprovedlegislationtotheitsproposedstatebudgetlastmonththatmovestocurbcollectivebargainingrightsoverhealthcareformunicipalworkers.Twodaysofdebateledtotheapprovalofthelegislation. Somelast-minutechangeswereapprovedincludingrequiringcitiesandtownstoprovehowmovingtothestatehealthinsuranceplanwouldsavemoremoneythanbycreatingtheirownplan. InastatementreleasedbytheMassachusett’sAFL-CIO,PresidentRobertHaynesexplainedthatachievingsavingsandmaintainingcollectivebargainingrightsarenotmutuallyexclusive. “Whilecertainlynotperfect,thisSenateproposalisfairandgoesalongwaytoprovingthatpoint,”saidHaynes. Thesenatereleasedits$30.5billionyearlybudgetproposalpriortothedebatewhichincludessimilarlimitstopublicemployee’s

collectivebargainingrightsoverhealthcareastheapprovedHousebudgetdid. UnliketheHouse’sbudgetthatgiveslocalofficialsunilateralauthoritytochangehealthplansregardlessof30-daynegotiationswithunions,theSenateproposalcallsforathree-membercommitteethatwouldvoteonhealthcarechangesifnoagreementwasmetduringthe30-daynegotiationperiod.Thethree-membercommitteewouldbemadeupofaunionrepresentative,amanagementrepresentativeandsomeoneappointedbythegovernor’sbudgetchief. ThenSenateproposalgivesmoresavingsbacktounionmembersduetohealthcarechangesthantheHousebudgetdid.TheproposalalsorequireslocalpublicunionstojointheGroupInsuranceCommission,thestate’sinsurancebenefits,oragreetoahealthplanthatdoesnotcostmorethantheGIC. TheMassachusettsAFL-CIOexplainedina

publicstatementthattheSenateproposaldoesincludeprotectionsforworkersandretireesregardingshiftinghealthcarecosts. “WeappreciatethethoughtfulapproachoftheSenatetothiscomplexissue,”saidtheMassachusettsAFL-CIOinapressrelease. Haynesexpressedthatwhileheiswillingtomakesacrificesincostshiftingintoughtimes,collectivebargainingisnotsomethingthatwillbesacrificed. “InthefinalanalysiswehopetheConferenceCommittee,Governor,andthelegislaturewillbuildonthisfairproposalandchoosetodeliversavingsthroughcollectivebargaining,”saidHaynes. TheSenatedebatebeganMay25andwillbefollowedbytheSenateandHousecomingtoacompromiseinthecomingweeks.GovernorPatrickisexpectedtoapproveafinalbudgetbyJuly1.

HIT - Continued on page 2

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The newly created Occupational and Environmental Health Center of Rhode Island improves worker health TheOccupationalandEnvironmentalHealthCenterofRhodeIsland(OEHCRI)wasrecentlyestablishedtoprovideclinicalevaluationsforindividualsorgroupswithmedicalconditionssuspectedtobeofOccupationalandEnvironmentalorigin. ThepurposeoftheCenteristorespondtounionandemployerhealthrequirementsandinitiativestocreateanoccupationalhealthcollaborationthatmeetstheuniqueneedsofworkersandunionmembers,unionstakeholders,healthcareproviders,andinsurersbyimprovingworkerhealth,reducingthelevelofillnessandinjuryanddecreasingtheburdenofdisability. OECHRIservicesallemployeeswithoutregardtosex,race,creed,residence,nationalorigin,sexualorientationorabilitytopay. SomeoftheservicesthatOEHCRIprovidesareMedicalExaminations,AudiometricExaminationsandHepatitisCScreenings.The

CenteralsooffersEMTCardiacCourseandCPRandFirstAidTrainingClasses. TheMedicalDirectorisLeeOkurowski,MD,MPH,MBAMedicalDirector,BoardCertifiedinOccupationalMedicine.Dr.OkurowskiisagraduatefromDartmouthMedicalSchoolandwentontoearnaMasterofPublicHealth,HealthPolicyandManagement/OccupationalMedicinefromHarvardSchoolofPublicHealthaswellasaMasterofBusinessAdministrationfromTheWhartonSchool. Dr.Okurowskicurrentlyprovidesserviceforavarietyofcompanies.HeservesasaresearchconsultantforvariouscompaniesandalsoservesastheMedicalandClinicalDirectorofLandmarkOccupationalHealthinRhodeIsland. FormoreinformationaboutTheOccupationalandEnvironmentalHealthCenterofRhodeIslandvisitwww.oehcri.orgorcall401-621-2228.

Union president has harsh words for

the firing of 125 teachers in Providence By Common Ground Staff

ProvidenceTeachersUnion(PTU)PresidentSteveSmithcalledtherecentfiringof125ofhismembersbytheadministrationofMayorAngelTaverasapolitical

moveaimedatcircumventingcollectivebargaining. AtanewsconferenceheldJune23aftertheteachersreceivednotificationoftheterminations,SmithsaidtheefforttoavoidcollectivebargainingisajointattemptinvolvingthestateDepartmentofEducation,CityHallandSchoolCommittee. Smithsaidtheteacherswerefired

withoutcause,andthatnotificationsofthefiringsweresentviae-mailwhiletheemployeesweresleeping.Inthemeantime,hesaid,32“new”and“inexperienced”teacherswerehiredandplaced“inthemostchallengingofschools.” Thefiringswerenotaboutjobperformance,hesaidduringthepress

conferenceatthePTU’sCorlissStreetheadquarters,pointingout16oftheterminatedteacherswereonmaternityleaveandthat12otherteacherswereonmedicalleave. “Whenwelookatpeoplewhowereterminatedattheexpenseofnewhires,it

strikesatagediscrimination,discriminationagainstteachersonmedicalleaveandfamilyleave,”Smithsaid.“Teacherswithyearsofexperience,asolidrecordofperformance,whoareatthetopofthepayscale,areterminatedinfavorofinexperienced,lower-wagedteachers.Thisisclearlynotintheinterestofthekids.”

Hesaidthemoveisgoingtocostthecitymorethanthesalariesandbenefitsforthe125teachersbecauseofexpendituresforunemploymentbenefits,legalproceedingsandbackpayheclaimstheSchoolDepartmentwillhavetopaywhenthefacultymemberswinbacktheirjobs.

Callingtheterminations“unfathomable,unconscionableandunnecessary,”Smithsaid,“likeotherunions,thePTUcouldaddressthecity’sfinancialconcernsthroughretirements,resignationsandsignificanteconomicconcessions.”

“Teacherswithyearsofexperience,asolid

recordofperformance,whoareatthetop

ofthepayscale,areterminatedinfavorof

inexperienced,lower-wagedteachers.Thisis

clearlynotintheinterestofthekids.”

–SteveSmith,PTUPresident

Steve Smith, President ofProvidence Teachers Union

JULY 2011 Common Ground

Channel 7’s reporters and anchors strike BostonAmericanFederationofTelevisionandRadioArtist(AFTRA)broadcasterswentonstrikeforthefirsttimein20yearslastmonth. TheanchorsandreportersfromChannel7boycottedtheStation’sHealth&FitnessExpoattheHynesConventionCenterinprotestofSunbeamTelevision’sunfairtreatmentofemployees. Sunbeamhasunilaterallyimposeddrasticcutstotheircompensationsystem,whichcouldleadtopayreductionsrangingfrom25%to50%forreportersandanchors.Withcutsofthatmagnitudeimposed,Sunbeamimpliesitisinsevereeconomicdistress.However,thecompanyhasstatedmultipletimesthatitcanaffordtopayemployeesunderthecurrentsystem. Channel7hasconsistentlyrefusedtorenegotiate,despitenumerousattemptsfromWHDHworkersinAFTRA’sBostonlocalandtheNationalAssociationofBroadcastEmployeesandTechnicians(NABET)Local18.ThestationhadevenrefusedtheFederalMediator’srequestforameeting. ArepresentativefromNABETLocal18

explainedthesituationtotheaudienceattherecentMassachusettsAFL-CIOEducationalConference.Heencouragedeveryonetocallthegeneralmanager,ChrisWayland,andtellhimto“getbacktothebargainingtable!”Hethenprovidedtheaudiencewiththegeneralmanager’sofficenumber. InatrueactofsolidarityforthetalentofChannel7,RobertHaynes,PresidentoftheMassachusettsAFL-CIO,stoodbeforetheaudienceonhiscellphone,waitingtobeconnectedtoWayland. “Youarealllookingatmeinamusement,butthisishowthingsgetdone,”Haynessaidtotheaudience. Unfortunately,thegeneralmanagerdidnottakehiscallandHaynesleftamessagewiththereceptionist. “PleasetellhimthatBobHaynes,PresidentoftheMassachusettsAFL-CIO,calledandI’mupsetabouttheissuesgoingonatChannel7.Pleasetellhimtocallmeback,”Haynessaidintohisphone.

President Robert Hanes of the MA AFL-CIO calls Chris Wayland, general manager of WHDH.

RI Secretary of State Honors Laborers Academy Grads with State Civic Leadership Awards SecretaryofStateA.RalphMollishonoredMaxDinermanandKarinaAlcedooftheNewEnglandLaborers/CranstonPublicSchoolConstructionandCareerAcademywith2011StateCivicLeadershipAwards,whicharegivenannuallytomembersoftheseniorclasswhomakeoutstandingcontributionstotheirschoolandtheircommunity. “Thisawardrecognizesstudentswhoshowanunderstandingoftheimportancepublicservicehasinademocraticsociety,”saidMollis.“Theseseniorstaketheprinciplesofcivicsandputthemintoactionathomeandatschool.” DinermanvolunteersattheNorthScituateFireDepartmentandbuildswheelchairramps.TheScituateresidentalsoisamemberoftheYouthCouncilofAmericanRedCross. AlcedoofCranstonvolunteersattheEdgewoodLittleLeagueandhascollecteddonationsfortheChildren’sFundFoundation.

MollisaskedhighschoolsaroundthestatetoselectonemaleandonefemalememberoftheClassof2011whobestmettheidealsoftheaward:publicservice,leadershipabilityandacademicachievement.ThisisthefifthconsecutiveyearMollishaspresentedtheawards. AsSecretaryofState,MollisholdsvoterregistrationdrivesathighschoolsthroughoutRhodeIsland.Inaddition,MollispromotescivicengagementbyvisitinghighschoolstoeducatestudentsaboutmilestonessuchasWomen’sHistoryMonthandR.I.HistoryMonth. SecretaryofStateMollisiscommittedtomakingiteasierforRhodeIslanderstovote,helpingbusinessesgrowandmakinggovernmentmoreopenandaccessible.FormoreinformationontheprogramsandservicestheSecretaryofStateoffersRhodeIslanders,visitsos.ri.gov.

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis presents 2011 State Civic Leadership Awards to Max Dinerman and Karina Alcedo of the New England Laborers/Cranston Public School Construction and Career Academy at a State House ceremony.

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T-Mobile merger with AT&T would allow employees to join unions T-MobileisreadytomergewithAT&T,abuyerwithalonghistoryofunionneutrality.UnlikeT-Mobile,AT&Tallowsitsemployeestodecidetopursueorganizedrepresentation–withoutunduepressurefrommanagement.Ifapproved,thismergercouldconstituteacrucialwinfororganizedlaborandfor20,000-plusnon-managementT-Mobileemployeeswhowillhavethechancetoobtainavoiceintheirworkplace. AT&T,theonlyunionwirelesscompany,maintainsitsworkers’righttorepresentationbyallowingthemtopartnerwiththeCommunicationsWorkersofAmerica.T-MobileemployeesabsorbedbyAT&Twillhavetheopportunitytoorganizeiftheychoose,givingthemtheopportunitytoenjoythejobsecurity,improvedbenefitsandworkplaceempowermentthatcomeswithcollectivebargaining.AT&TalsoplanstoworkwithCWAtoensurethatthemergerresultsinnoinvoluntaryjobloss.Andthe

mergedcompanywillbebetterpositionedtocreatenewjobs,astheimpactofitsinfrastructurebuildoutspursinnovationandeconomicgrowthincommunitiesacrossthecountry.Infact,theEconomicPolicyInstituteestimatesthatthenetworkexpansionassociatedwiththemergerwillcreateasmanyas96,000jobs. Thebenefitsofthistransactionextendwellbeyondtherightsofcommunicationsindustryworkers.TheAT&T/T-Mobilecombinationwillcontinuethetraditionofunionworkers’performingvaluableservicesthatshapeandbenefitourcountry.Thebroaderimpactofthistransaction,thatis,willbeseenintheimprovementsthatordinaryAmericansexperienceintheirmobilebroadbandaccessandcapabilities. Thankstogreaterdensityofcelltowersandthemoreefficientuseofavailablespectrum(theelectromagnetic“space”availableforwirelesstransactions),AT&T/T-Mobilewillbe

abletodeployitsnext-generationnetworktoreachmorethan97percentofallAmericans.Theresultingnetworkwillbebigger,faster,andbetterabletohandletheserviceneedsofusers.Thebenefitsoftheseimprovementswillbefeltinschools,hospitals,businesses,andhomesacrossourstateandourcountry.Teacherswillhaveimprovedonlineaccesstocurriculumresourcesandprofessionaldevelopmentmaterials;individualsneedinghealthcarewillhaveaccesstotheadvantagesoftelemedicine;businesseswillbeabletoimprovecommunicationsandmarketingandfamilieswillfinditeasiertostayintouchacrossgreatdistances. TheAFL-CIO,CWAandseveralothernationallabororganizationshavemadepublictheirsupportofthismerger.ManyechotheirsentimentandlookforwardtothousandsofT-Mobileemployeeshavingtheopportunitytojointheirranks.

Rhode Island Jobs with Justice unites against the corporate agendaBy Camilo Viveiros

RhodeIslandhasamongthehighestunemploymentratesintheNortheastandoneofthehighestforeclosureratesinthenation.Decadesoffailedeconomicpracticeshaveledtounaccountableand

excessiveprofitsforthefewwhilethemanyhavehurt. Ifevenasmallfragmentofthebigbankbailoutwasusedtocreateajobsprogram–likeanewWorkersProgressAdministrationfederalcommunityjobsprogram–thenthejoblessrateinthebuildingtrades,amongyouth,andincommunitiesofcolorwoulddeclinesharply.Itisurgentthatourelectedofficialsrecognizethejobsemergencyandcreatejobsthatwillputpeoplebacktowork,rebuildourinfrastructureandmakeitgreenerforthelonghaul. RhodeIslandneedstospeaktruthtopowerbydemandingajobsprogramthatrebuildseconomicallygoodjobsandGreenjobsthatleadtosustainabilityandeconomicstability.Thereishope,whenpeopleworktogethertowinwhatonecouldn’thavewonalone.Someeconomistshavepredictedbleaktimesforyearstocome,buttheyarenotincludingshiftsinpoliticalwillandRhodeIslander’smovementsintheirforecasts. RhodeIslandJobswithJustice(RIJwJ)isacoalitionofover40unions,churches,community,andstudentgroupsthatbuildsolidaritytogethertowinlargereconomicjusticevictoriesforall. RIJwJhasbeenbringingneighborsandco-workerstogethertoturnangerintoaction.RIJwJchangesthecourseofactionwhenpeopleworktogethertocutcorporateloopholes

andmakeWallStreetpayitsfairsharetogetpeoplebacktoworkandtosavevitalservicescommunitiesdependon. Whileexpandingthecircleofthosewhoknowthetruthofwhoisbehindtheeconomiccrisisiscrucial,RhodeIslandersneedtodomorethanspeaktruthtopower,theyneedtobuildpowerthroughchurches,withneighborsincommunitygroupsandatworkplaces.RIJwJhelpspeoplestandupandfightbackagainstattacksonworkingpeople’sstandardofliving. Asoneofthehardesthitstates,RhodeIslandhastheopportunitytomodelaworkerandcommunity-ledresponsetotheeconomiccrisis.JobswithJusticeisbringingtogethercommunitymembersandrankandfileworkerstoworkforeconomicjustice.JobswithJusticeworkstodefendgoodjobswithdecentbenefitsandfightlayoffs.Theorganizationwillcontinuetosupportexpandingemployers’participationinFirstSource,workfortaxjustice,andfightwagetheftandsubcontractingthatunderminesgoodjobs.JobswithJusticewillcontinuetoeducateandmobilizethepublicsopoliciescanbechallengedthathavefortoolonghurtfamiliesandcommunities. ItisuptoRhodeIslandtotakeactiontodemandjobsnowandaneconomythatworksforeveryone.WallStreetneedstobeheldaccountable,andmakeWallStreetpay.Itistimetorenegotiatetradepoliciesthathaveweakenedworkers’wellbeing,hurtenvironmentalandsocialprotections,costjobs,andcauseharmtocommunities.Tradepoliciesneedtobefair,andshouldneverallowlayoffsandplantclosings. Educationcannotaffordcutsnorcanroadsandemergencyandfireservicesthatkeepthepublicsafe.Vitalpublicservicesneedtobe

protectedalongwiththejobsofthepeoplewhodeliverthoseservices.Inthefaceofhighunemployment,andrampantcorporategreed,RIJobswithJusticeisorganizingforaneconomythatputspeoplefirst.RhodeIslandneedstoworktogethertoshiftpoliciestobenefiteveryone.Let’sprotectgoodjobsandensureworkersrightsforall.RhodeIslandneedstostandtogetherandsay:“wewon’tpayforyoureconomiccrisis,”whilesupportingworkersseekingajobwithjustice,alivingwage,afaircontractandavoiceatwork. CometotheJobswithJusticeconferenceandlearnstrategiesthatdefeatattacksthatdivideworkers,andalsolearnhowtoforgesuccessfulcoalitionstodefeatcorporateattacksonworkingpeopleandourcommunities.JobswithJusticeisstrivingtobuildunityamongdifferentethnicitiesofRhodeIsland’sworkingclass,anexceedinglyimportantprojectinthefaceofdivisionthattheeconomiccrisiscanfuel. Learnaboutcuttingedgecampaigns,andjoinfaithandlaborleaders,students,workersexcludedfromlaborlaw,workerscenters,aswellasover1,000union,retiree,andcommunityactivistsfromacrossthecounty,gatheringtotalkabouthowtotakethistransformativemovementandconnectandexpandourmovementstodefeatthecorporateagenda.Thisconferenceonlytakesplaceonceeverytwoyears. ForinformationabouttheJobswithJusticeconference,gotowww.jwj.org.TojoinagroupofRhodeIslanderstravelingtogethertotheconferencegoto:www.tiny.cc/rijwjsignuporcontact:[email protected],401-338-1665orvisitwww.rijwj.net. CamiloViveirosistheexecutivedirectorofRhodeIslandJobswithJustice.


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Providence teachers rally outside of City HallBy Amelia Pillsbury

ProvidenceteachersralliedoutsideProvidenceCityHallearlylastmonthtodefendpublicschools.Agiantsignreading“DefendPublicEducation”washeldupbehindamicrophoneforthevariousspeakersatthewell-attendedrally.ThosewhospokeincludedProvidenceteachers,PatrickCrowley,GovernmentRelationsDirectorfortheNationalEducationAssociationofRIandSteveSmith,PresidentoftheProvidenceTeachersUnion. AlsoamongthespeakerswasJonahJehar,apublicschoolstudentinoneofProvidence’selementaryschools.Hefiredupthecrowdwithhischant,“We’llfightandfightwheneverwecanuntiltheyagreewithourdemands!” Otheraction-incitingmantrasincluded“Saveourteachers,saveourschools,”and“What’sdisgusting?Unionbusting!” WhenCrowleyaddressedthecrowdhechidedEducational

CommissionerDeborahGist’srecentsuggestiontounionleaderstoaskthemselves“Howisschool?” “Therealquestionwe’resupposedtoaskis“Whoseschool?’”saidCrowley. Heindicatedinhisspeechthateducationleadersarenotdiscussingthemoreimportantissueofwhomtheschoolbelongstoanylonger.Heexplainedthattheyneedtostartrealizingitisthepublic’sschoolandmorepreciselythestudent’sschool. SteveSmith,presidentoftheProvidenceTeachersUnion,toldtheaudiencethatthecurrentstateofpublicschoolteachersisnottheresultoftheirunion’sagenda,butrathertheDepartmentofEducation’sagenda.Smith

wentontoencouragetheDepartmentofEducationtostoppushingtheirownagenda. TheeventwasorganizedbySamSmithoftheRIProgressiveNetworkandmoderatedbyBrianChidester,aBristolteacher.


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DISTRICT 4 - LOCAL 12431

172 Longfellow SreetProvidence, Rhode Island 02907p. 401.527.6792 f. 401.284.3677

Joseph A. MontanaroPresident

Gary GlittoneVice President

Steven KirbyFinancial Secretary

Gordon HuffmanTreasurer

Mark BoyajianRecording Secretary

Lou ScottiPresident

[email protected]

T: 401-233-9840C: 401-529-9690F: 401-233-0824

Building / Masonry ContractorRIBA / RICRB Lic. #34

James Scotti, Inc.

Auto Body Work - Estimates - Unconditional 100% Lifetime Guarantee

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John & Sandra Petrarca and the staff of Providence Auto Body

Harrington sets sight on steering union covering RIPTA employeesBy Common Ground Staff TheunioncoveringemployeesoftheRhodeIslandPublicTransitAuthority(RIPTA)willhaveanewpresidentandbusinessagentinthedriver’sseatasofJuly15. That’swhenPaulHarringtonwillassumeleadershipoftheAmalgamatedTransitUnionLocal618,succeedingStephenS.Farrell.HarringtonwonacloseelectiononJune9,garnering66morevotesthanFarrell,494to428. HarringtonhasworkedasaRIPTAbusoperatorfor161/2years,andisanine-yearveteranofLocal618’sexecutiveboard.Thefull-timepositionofpresidentandbusinessagentcarriesathree-yearterm,andtheProvidencenativeisanxioustostartthejobhehaseyedsincejoiningthetransportationagency. AsheadofLocal618,whichhasabout1,100members,includingretirees,Harringtonplansonemployingtheenthusiastic,accessibleanddedicatedstyleofleadershiphedemonstratedasanexecutiveboardmember. “Unionrepresentationhasbecomeapassionwithme,”hesaidduringaninterview.“Ibelievethatthisisagreatunion,andthatIworkforthemembers.” Inanearlierstatement,hesaid,“Ibelievethattheunionhallisaplaceofbusiness,butthatthetrueunionlieswithitsmembers.Unionexecutivesmustdealwithalltheproblemsthataffectmembersonaday-to-daybasis.”

HealsowillapproachRIPTAChiefExecutiveOfficerCharlesOdimgbewithaspiritofcooperationtomaintainandimproveamasstransitsystemthatistheeconomiclifelinetothousandsofRhodeIslanders.Publictransportation,Harringtonsaid,isvitaltoindividualswithdisabilitiesandseniorcitizensthatareunabletodrivesotheycanlivenormallivesandtoyoungpeoplethatwanttocontinuetheireducationsotheycanbetterthemselves. Harringtonsaidhewilladvocateonthestatelevelforaqualitymasstransitsystem,andthathowRIPTAisfundedisanissuethatmustbetackled.Usingthestategasolinetaxasasourceoffundingfortheagencyisnotsoundfiscal

practice,especiallyifpublicpolicyisaimedatreducingtheuseofprivatemotorvehicles.HesaidRIPTAneedsasteadyrevenuesourcethatcanfundthecontinuedimprovementandadvancementofpublictransportation,explainingthatsomeotherstatesusetaxesandfeesongoodsandservicestofuelbudgetsforMassTransit. HepointedoutRIPTAhasmadestridestomodernizeitsequipmentbypurchasinghybridbusesandtrolleys,whichis“ahugestep”andsoundenvironmentalpolicy. Asaunionleader,Harringtonwantstodohisparttohelpstopthetrendoftheshrinkingmiddleclassbyworkingtowardmaintaininghealthinsurancecoverage,asoundretirement

package,andfairwagesformembersofLocal618,whichhasacontractthatexpiresonJune30,2013. Harrington,51,knowsthefinancialchallengesfacingfamilies.Heandhiswife,Patricia,whoisamemberofLocal1033oftheLaborers’InternationalUnionofNorthAmerica,raisedtwochildren.Mark,30,isinAfghanistanwiththeRhodeIslandNationalGuard,andAndrea,24,recentlyearnedhermaster’sdegreeinEnglishfromDePaulUniversityinChicago,Ill. HarringtonsaidsheisreturningtoRhodeIsland–astateinwhichherfatherwantstohaveanevenbettermasstransitsystem.


Affiliated with the INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS

121 BRIGHTRIDGE AVENUE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02914www.teamsterslocal251.org

EXECUTIVE BOARD BUSINESS AGENTS Joseph J. Bairos Steven Labrie Secretary-Treasurer Principal Executive Officer Kevin Reddy Kevin Reddy Joseph Boyajian President Daniel Manocchio James Croce Vice President Michael Nunes Recording Secretary Dennis Mello Trustee Susan Folan Trustee Janet O’Grady Trustee

Douglas TeoliAsst. Business Agent

David DemuthOrganizerAsst. Business Agent

Linda RussolinoAsst. Business Agent

For more information contact us today at

413.572.1300

Verizon Wireless Fund Raising Program comes to New England AreaTwoentrepreneursofachainofVerizonWirelessstoresareexpandingtheirfundraisingopportunitiesfornon-profitsandotherorganizationstotheNewEnglandarea.Theopportunityallowsanyorganization,non-profitorotherwise,toraisefundsbysimplypurchasingtheirwirelessservicesfromoneoftheiragents.Thisprogrambenefitsorganizationsbyallowingthemtosignupforaprogramthatisariskfreeopportunity.Thereisnobuyingofinventory,noinvestment,productselling,productdistributionorcollection.AlltheorganizationneedstodoishavetheirmemberscalloneoftheexclusiveVerizonagentsandpresentthemwithacouponfortheirphone.Theprogramhashadgreatsuccessinotherareas,withover30organizationsparticipatingforthesecondconsecutiveyear.

ForfurtherinformationonthisprogrampleasecontactJohnTassoniat4014511305orjohn@jtsentinelgroup.com.

Steward Health Care plans to acquire RI Hospitals with help from UNAP Local 5067 Afternearlythreeyearsinreceivership,LandmarkMedicalCenterandtheRehabilitationHospitalofRI,areastepclosertohavinganewowner.RISuperiorCourtJudgeMichaelSilversteinannouncedthatStewardHealthCare(formerlyCaritasChristi)wouldbepermittedtomoveforwardwithitsbidtoacquirethetwohospitals. UNAPLocal5067,whichrepresentsnearly600nursesandotherhealthprofessionals

atLandmarkandRHRI,playedaleadroleinadvocatingforSteward,aftertwoothercompaniesthatwereacceptabletotheUniondroppedoutoftherunning–leavingonlyRegionalCare,whichtheUnionstronglyopposed.Unionmembershaveapprovedanewtentativefour-yearcontractwithSteward. Thecontractwilltakeeffectwhenthehospital’ssaleiscomplete.Thecontractdoesnotincluderaisesinthefirstyear,butprovides

forraisesof2percentand3percentinthenextthreeyears.Retirementbenefitswillnolongerbeadefined-benefitpensionplanbutwillbechangedtoadefined-contribution401(k)-styleplan.MedicalanddentalbenefitswillremainthesameuntilSept.30,2012,whenemployeeswillbeabletochoosefromamongplansofferedbySteward.Nothinginthecontractchangesthecurrentpoliciesforvacations,holidays,sickdaysandovertime.


AFSCME Local 2881

Representing RIDEM and CRMC

www.local2881.org

STEPHEN ROYPOWER EQUIPMENT

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146 Putnam Pike, Johnston401-231-8210

[email protected] www.stephenroypower.com

Robert J. Haynes Louis A. Mandarini, Jr.President Secretary-Treasurer

For more information call (781) 324-8230 or visit www.massaflcio.org

During these difficult times, now more than ever, workers need a strong, unified voice speaking out on each other’s behalf. By advocating for all workers, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is working

to preserve the middle class, and protect you and your family.

Whether you are a union member or not, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is committed to preserving the rights of all workers and advocating for decent wages, health and retirement ben-

efits, safer workplaces, and a dignified quality of life for all working families.

New Leadership for the Joint Labor Management Committee

PaulBirks,chairmanoftheJointLaborManagementCommitteehaspassedhisleadershipbatontoRachelThomas,whowasrecentlyelectedchairofthecommitteebyunanimousvote.Thomas,aSpringfieldpoliceofficerandsecretary

ofLocal364,wasappointedtothecommitteeinthefallbyGovernorPatrick,andwillbethefirstfemaletochairtheJLMC. “OnbehalfofIBPOmembersacrossMassachusetts,IthankPaulforhistirelesseffortstoensurethatpolicemembershavebeengettingfaircontracts,andIthankRachelfortakingontheseaddedresponsibilities,”saidNationalPresidentDavidJ.Holway.“Rachelisperfectlysuitedbyhereducation,experience,anddemeanortochairthisimportantcommittee.” Birks,whoisalsoanIBPOnationalvicepresident,willremainonthecommitteeasanalternate.

“PaulmaybesteppingdownfromthechairmanshipoftheJLMC,buthewillmaintainamajorroleonthecommitteeandremainastrongvoiceforIBPOmembersandallpublicsafetyunionmembers,”saidHolway.Thelaborsideofthetripartite(fire,police,management)JLMCconsistsofafirechairandtwofiremembers,andapolicechairandthreepolicemembers.TheIBPOholdsthechairmanshipandtwoofthethreepolice-memberseatsonthecommittee.ThethirdseatonthepolicesideofthecommitteeisheldbytheMassachusettsPoliceAssociation. TheJLMChasoversightresponsibilityforallcollectivebargainingnegotiationsbetweenmunicipalpoliceofficersorfirefightersandmunicipalitiesintheCommonwealthofMassachusetts.Throughmediationandothervoluntaryformsofdisputeresolution,theJLMCassistslaborandmanagementinreachingnegotiatedsettlementstodisputesthatariseoverthetermsofcollectivebargainingagreements.

Rachel Thomas, Smithfield Police Officer

Southern New Englands Neighborhood Union

David P. FlemingPresident

James P. Riley Secretary-Treasurer

United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 328278 Silver Spring Street • Providence, RI 02904-2593 • 401.861.0300 • 800.624.7776 • www.ufcw328.org


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Rhode Island State Association of Fire FightersAffiliated with the AFL-CIO

PAUL C. REEDPresident

JOSEPH A. ANDRIOLEVice President

DAVID HANOSSecretary Treasurer

MARCEL E. FONTENAULT, JR.Exec. Bd. Chairman

1ST DISTRICT V.P. John Silva

2ND DISTRICT V.P. Steve Rodrigues

3RD DISTRICT V.P. Michael Stevens

ROBERT K. NEILL, JR.Staff Representative

PAUL L. VALLETTA, JR.Legislative Agent

REBECCA D. FISHERLegislative Agent

356 Smith Street • Providence, Rhode Island 02908 • (401) 272-6870

risaff.org

Providence’s BravestServing the City of Providence since 1854

PROVIDENCE FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS

Paul A. Doughty, President

Philip F. Fiore, Vice President

Scott G. Mello, Secretary

John F. Woodard, Treasurer

Executive Board Representatives

Christopher J. JannittoJoseph P. Moreino

Hans RamsdenWayne C. OliveiraZachariah Kenyon

Anthony Toro

92 Printery Street Paul A. DoughtyProvidence, RI 02904 401-569-4444 401-272-7999 (O)401-274-7999 (F) local799.com

WORKERS’ COMPInjured at Work?

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UA Local Union 51 Plumbers • Pipefitters • Refrigeration

Thomas A. HandfieldBusiness Manager

Robert Walker Frederick Foeri William D. Mello Financial Secretary Organizer/Agent Business Agent

Done Once. Done Right SERVING RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS

II Hemingway Drive, East Providence, Rhode Island 02915Telephone: 401-943-3033. Fax: 401-943-8027

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Be Sure That Surgery is a Fix, Not a Patch Job By Dr. Ibrahim Eid Whenitcomestoyourbody,apatchjobisnotthesameasafix.ConsiderJoe-thefirsttimehehadchestpain,hewasliftingaheavyboxattheshopjustafterhislunchbreak.Joehadeatenabigmealandtoldhimselfthepainwasjustacaseofindigestionfromthatdoubledeckerpastramisandwich.Butinthefollowingweeks,thesamepainreappearedwheneverhedidstrenuousliftingattheworksiteevenbeforeeating.Afteraboutthesixthorseventhtime,hiswifemadehimseethedoctor. Joe’sfamilydoctorexplainedtohimthathehadstableangina,aconditionsynonymouswithheartdisease.Inthiscase,thebloodvesselstohishearthavenarrowedwithbuild-up.Bloodflowgetscuttotheheartmuscle,whichthenstrainsitselftryingtopumpenoughbloodtotherestofhisbodywhenJoeexertshimself.Thechestpainisamusclecramptellinghisbodytotakeiteasysothebloodflowcanrecovertohisheartmuscles Joewasreferredbyhisdoctortoacardiologist,who,aftera20-minutevisit,scheduledJoeforaheartcatheterization.Thisisasurgicalprocedurewhereasmallpipe-typemeshfittingcalledastentisplacedinthebloodvesseltowidenit.ThecardiologistinformedJoethatthiswouldstopthepainandhelprecoverthebloodflow.Hearingthis,Joewantedtohavethesurgeryrightawaytopreventthechanceofaheartattackandfeelbetterfast.Hehadthestentplacedandwithinafewdayswaspainfree. Withinsixmonths,however,thepainreturnedandJoewaspuzzled.Hewentbacktothecardiologistwonderingwhythesurgerydidnothelphim.Thecardiologisttoldhimthatthenewpainwaseitherfromadifferentbloodvesselthatwasblockedorthatthepreviousstenthadclosingup.Herecommendedthatanothercatheterizationbedone.Joeagreedbecausethefirstoperationseemedtodothetrickeasilyenough. Thistimearound,though,Joe’sexperiencewas

drasticallydifferent.Thesecondstentoperationwascomplicatedbyclottinginanotherbloodvessel.ThiscausedJoetohaveaheartattackonthetable,andemergencyopen-heartsurgerywasrequiredtokeephimalive.Ittookhimfourmonthsbeforehecouldgobacktoworkandtwoyearsbeforehefinishedpayingallhismedicalbills.Hewasluckytobealivetoseehisfamilyagain. Inreality,Joecouldhavedonewellwithouthavinganystentsplacedinhisheart.Stableheartdiseasecanbetreatedequallywellwithmedicinesorwithstents.ButacrosstheUS,thousandsofpatientsreceivestentseveryyearunderthebeliefthatthesewillsolvetheirproblemsandpreventdeathfromaheartattack.Contrarytothatbelief,stentsoffertemporaryrelieflikea‘patch-job’would,buttheydonotsolvetheunderlyingcausesofheartdisease. Joe’ssituationisillustratedinastudypublishedlastSeptemberintheAnnalsofInternalMedicinebyDr.MichaelRothbergfromMassachusetts.Dr.Rothbergandhiscolleaguesfoundthatpatientswhounderwentcardiacinterventionswereillinformedaboutwhattoexpectfromtheprocedure,believingittobemuchmoreeffectivethanitreallyis.Theauthorsrecommendedthatpatientsgetbettereducationabouttheprosandconsofdifferentinterventionsbeforeconsentingtothem. Thislackofinformationisleadingtounnecessarysurgeriesontheheart,bloodvessels,spine,joints,andotherconditions.In2009,ThomsonReuterscalculatedthisintheUSat$200-$300Billiondollarsperyear.Moreover,theyfoundthatfraudandmedicalmistakescosttheUSanadditional$250-$300Billionperyear.Thefee-for-serviceUShealthcaresystemisgearedtooffermore,expensiveproceduresoverpreventivecare.Thehealthreformunderwaycanonlydosomuchtoaddresstheseissues,buttruechangewillcomewhenpatientsare

empoweredtotakeanactivepartintheircare. Sowhatcantheaveragepersondotoensuresurgerywillbeeffective?“Intheeyesofthecarpenterwhoseonlytoolisahammer,thewholeworldlookslikeanail.Ifsurgeryandmedicalcareareequallyeffectiveforaconditionandyougotoasurgeon,youaremorelikelytogetanoperation.”saysMikePierce,CEOofExpertMedicalNavigation,aRhodeIslandcompanywhosephysiciansofferpatientseducationabouttheirdiseasesalongwithhelpinmakingdecisions.Herecommendsthatwheneverpeoplearefacedwithamajormedicalprocedurelikesurgery,theyshouldtakethetimetoseekknowledgeablemedicalprofessionalswhocangivethemunbiasedadviceandcorrectinformation. Employerscanhelptoo.Sincemostpeoplereceivetheirhealthbenefitsfromwork,offeringaccesstoservicesthathelpeducatetheiremployeesonhealth,wellnessandmajorprocedurescanbebothcosteffectivefortheorganizationandrewardingforemployees.IndividualsshouldasktheirHRbenefitsofficeiftheseservicesareintheirplanorcanbeoffered. SothenexttimethatyouoroneofyouremployeesisfacedwithasituationlikeJoe’s,takeastepbacktoevaluateoptionsandgetsmarteronthesituation.Makingadecisiononyourhealthisalifetimechoicethatimpactsyourbody,familyandcareer.Don’tleavetheseimportantdecisionstothehealthcaresystem.Beconfidentthatyourchoiceofcareistherightoneforyou. Dr.IbrahimEidistheChiefMedicalOfficeratExpertMedicalNavigation.FormoreinformationaboutExpertMedicalNavigationvisitwww.exmednav.com.

Best of Luck and Continued Success from the Drivers, Maintenance and

Supervisory Personnel ofATU Local 618 & 618A

in Providence & Newport

Paul Harrington tHomas Cute Kevin m. millea

President – Business Agent Vice President Secretary-Treasurer

ExECUTivE BoArDBob Davis • Bob Doyle • Jim Murphy

Frank Plutzner • Peter Ritchie • Vincent Rowan

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Go 60 MPG Campaign Advocates for Savings at the Gas Pump By Nicholas Oliver RhodeIsland’senvironmentaladvocacycommunityisurging

PresidentObamatoproviderelieffordriversatthepumpbydelivering

thestrongestfuel-efficiencyandautopollutionstandardsfornew

vehiclescurrentlyunderconsideration.TheObama

Administrationplanstoproposenewfuelefficiencyand

autopollutionstandardsthisSeptember.

Rejectingtheerroneousassertionthattheonlyway

toofferrelieffordriversstrugglingwithfourdollarper

gallongasolineistoexpanddrillinghereintheU.S.,

environmentalactivistsassertthatPresidentObama

hastheopportunitytocreatelong-termfuelsavingsby

demandingthatnewvehiclesusethefueltheyconsume

asefficientlyaspossible.Drillingisnotasustainable

solutiontoouroildependencyaswehavelearnedfrom

theBPOilSpillcatastropheintheGulfofMexicolast

summer.Wehavealsolearnedasanationthatouroil

dependencytounfriendlyforeignnationshasledus

towarsthatcurrentlyarewithoutexpirationdates.In

areportreleasedinMaybyEnvironmentAmerica,

thestudyfoundthatifvehiclesachieveda60miles

pergallonstandardat$3.99pergallongasprices,the

averageRhodeIslandfamilywouldsave$474atthegas

pumpthissummer–thatisjustthreemonths’worthof

savingsalone.

LedlocallybytheSierraClub’sRhodeIslandChapter,

theGo60MPGCampaignisanationaljointeffortof

theUnionofConcernedScientists,theSierraClub,the

NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil,andEnvironment

America.ThiscampaignisfocusedonurgingPresident

ObamatoputAmericaningenuitytoworkandbeginto

moveusBeyondOilbycallingfortheaveragecarand

lighttrucktogoatleast60milespergallonby2025

andemitnomorethan143gramspermileofcarbon

pollutionby2025.RhodeIslanderscannotaffordfor

PresidentObamaandhisadministrationtoachieve

anythinglessinourfuelefficiencystandards.

FormoreinformationabouttheGo60MPG

Campaign,pleaseviewhttp://www.go60mpg.org.

NicholasOliveristheConservationProgramCoordinatorfortheSierra

Club’sRhodeIslandChapter.

A girl’s got to have her standards.

Americans have high standards. Our cars should, too.

This fall, President Obama can help America reclaim its proud automotive heritage by

standards will save us billions at the gas pump, clean up our air, and put Americans back

If you believe in high standards, join us at Go60MPG.org

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MA AFL-CIO 2011 Educational Conference LastmonththeMassachusetssAFL-CIOhelda3-daystatewideconferenceinHyannis,MAforunionleaders.Theconference,titledthe2011Gompers-Murray-MeanyEducationalConferenceincludedpresentationsandpanelsonissuessuchasLaborandtheDemocraticParty,Labor’sResponsetotheDemocraticParty,legislativereports,thestatebudget,andeffectivepublicrelations.Alsoduringtheconference,theaudiencewatchedtheaward-winningdocumentary“InsideJob”whichdocumentsreasonsbehindtherecenteconomicrecession. StateSenatorScottBrownwasthecenterofcritiqueduringanopenmicrophonesessiondiscussingthe2012elections.ThegeneralconsensuswasthatbasedonSen.Brown’svotingrecord,heisnowinavulnerablepositionforre-election. AmongthoseparticipatingintheconferencewereSecretaryofStateWilliamGalvin,StateSenatorsDonnelly,TolmanandWolf,StateTreasurerSteveGrossman,SateAuditorSuzanneBump,SecretaryofLaborandWorkforceDevelopmentJoanneGoldsteinandLt.GovernorTimMurray.

Looking for some good news for a change?

View past issues at www.commongroundnews.net.Rhode Island's only newspaper for unions, and about unions.

Negotiations between Verizon and CWA Massachusetts begin CommunicationsWorkersofAmerica(CWA)Districts1,2,and13aswellasIBEWNewYork,NewEnglandandNewJersey,openednegotiationswithVerizonlastmonth. CWADistrict1,whichcoversvariousregionsinMassachusetts,andIBEWNewYorkandNew

England,arenegotiatingfornewcontractsattheRyeTownHiltoninWestchesterCounty.CWADistricts2and13,aswellasIBEWNJ,arenegotiatingfornewcontractsinPhiladelphia. ChrisShelton,VicePresidentofDistrict1,gaveanopeningstatementtothecompanyatthe

regionalbargainingtableinNY.HeexplainedthedetrimentofVerizon’sunion-avoidanceideology. “Whenideologyfliesinthefaceofgoodbusinesssensesoonerorlaterthebusinessandthestockholderssuffer,”saidShelton. SheltonalsoexplainedthatmembersareloyaltobothVerizon

andtheirunionandwanttoseeVerizonsucceed. “Wecomeheretodaytonegotiateacontractthatisfairto[Verizon],onethatprotectsgoodUnionjobsandthatgivesourmembershiptheopportunitytogrowalongwiththecompany.”

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Higher quality through healthcare reformBy Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts

Muchofthediscussionsurroundingnationalhealthcarereformhasfocusedontheneedtoreducethecostsofprovidinghealthcarewhilechangingthewaywepayforit.WhilethePatientProtectionandAffordableCareAct(ACA)includesnumerousprovisionsandguidelinesthataddresstheseconcerns,itisimportanttounderstandhowthesereformswillalsoincreasethequalityofhealthcarewhileexpandinghealthcarecoverage.SomeofthemostbasicchangescomingtohealthcareinRhodeIslandincludebettercoordinationofcareamongdoctorsfortheirpatients,improvingpatientoutcomesandreducinghospitalreadmissions. Anothereffortunderthenewlawencouragesusingtechnologytocreateelectronicmedicalrecordstoimproveaccuracyofpatientinformation,aswellasenablingmoreimmediateaccesstomedicalinformationwhenandwherecareprovidersrequireit.Therearealsonewincentivestohelpexpandthecurrentpoolofprimarycaredoctors.Thiseffortwillhelpmeetagrowingdemandforaccesstopreventivecareashealthinsurancecoverageincreasesandasthereformlaweliminatesthecostsforpatientstoaccesspreventivecare. OnewaytheACAaddressesbettercoordinationofhealthcareforpatientswillbethroughnewlycreatedAccountableCareOrganizations(ACOs).Throughtheseorganizations,hospitals,doctorsandotherhealthcareprovidersareabletopartnertogethertoaddresstheissuesassociatedwithdisconnectedcare.ACOsaredesignedtofocusonpatientcareandoutcomes,encouragingthepatientandprovidertoworkaspartnersinmakinghealthcaredecisions.Throughtheuseofelectronicmedicalrecords,doctorswillbeabletobettercoordinatemedicalinformationthat,inthepast,mayhavebeenlost,unavailableorduplicated.Thiswillalsosavethepatientthe

troubleofhavingtosharethesameinformationtimeandtimeagainwithvariouscareproviders. Coordinationofhealthcarewillalsobeaccomplishedthroughreformsthatrewardqualityofcareratherthanvolumeofserviceprovided.ThisdirectionisprovidedthroughtherecentlylaunchedPartnershipforPatients.Thisinitiativewillallowhospitals,doctors,nurses,pharmacists,employers,unions,andStateandFederalgovernmentstoworktogetherinimprovingpatienttransitionsbetweenvarioushealthcaresettings,andkeeppatientsfromgettinginjuredorsickerwhileinthehealthcaresystem.TheCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServices(CMS)intendstoinvestupto$1billiontoadvancethePartnershipforPatients. Inadditiontoenhancedhealthcarecoordination,theACAaddressesqualityofcoveragethroughencouragingdoctors-in-trainingtopursueprimarycarecareers,particularlyinruralorotherunderserveddemographicareas.Provisionsincludingexpandedloananddebt-forgiveness,increasedresourcesfortraining,expandingtaxbenefitstohealthprofessionalsworkinginunderservedareas,andincentivestophysiciansforprovidingprimarycaretopatientsareafewofthewaysthisgoalwillbeachieved.TheACA,throughthePreventionandPublicHealthFund,will

alsopreparethehealthcaresystemtomeetthedemandforhealthcareworkerswithaninitiativetotrainandsupportthousandsofnewprimarycareproviders,includingnewdoctors,nurses,andphysician’sassistants. WhilecoordinationofcareandexpansionofthehealthcareworkforceunderscoretheACA’scommitmenttoincreasedquality,theActalsoincludesaHospitalReadmissionReductionProgram(HRRP)thatusesincentivesandpenaltiestoencouragehospitalstoenactbetterproceduresthatreducepreventablehospitalreadmissions. TheHRRPsectionoftheACAalsorequiresthattheSecretaryofHealthandHumanServicesaffordaQualityImprovementProgramforhospitalswithahighreadmissionratethathavenottakenspecificactioninregardtoreducingsuchreadmission.TheQualityImprovementProgramswillbemadeavailablethroughtheuseofpatientsafetyorganizations.Thegoaloftheseorganizationsistoimprovethequalityandsafetyofhealthcaredeliverythroughsecuringanenvironmentwherehealthprofessionalsandorganizationscancollectandanalyzedatainanefforttoreducerisksandhazardsassociatedwithpatientcare. Throughenhancedcooperationandcoordinationamonghealthcareproviders,incentivesforhealthcareprofessionalsandattemptstoreducehospitalratereadmissions,wewillbegintoseepatientoutcomesimprove.Althoughmostoftheseprovisionswillnottakeeffectforthenextfewyears,itisimportanttobeawareofhowhealthcarereformwillpositivelyimpactthecurrentandfuturehealthofRhodeIslanders. FormoreinformationonthePatientProtectionandAffordableCareActaswellasnationalhealthreformbeingimplementedinRhodeIsland,visitwww.heathcare.ri.gov. ElizabethRobertsisLieutenantGovernorof

So Mike, how did you get involved in the EAP and addiction treatment business?I became involved in the EAP/MAP programs because of my own struggles with addiction, as I have been in recov-ery for many years. Twenty-five years ago, I was asked by my Union President to start a committee to assist our members and their families who needed help with addic-tion and mental health issues, because of my own experi-ences, I was excited to help. We started a silent com-mittee to offer confidential help to Firefighters and their families who were struggling with these issues. I spent several years obtaining certifications in the field and have been helping members and their families ever since!

How has this program benefited firefight-ers and their loved ones?Firefighters often experience things in the line of duty that cause mental and emotional stress that can lead to sub-stance abuse. Once we built the EAP/MAP program we were amazed at how many people came forward to get

the help they needed. Part of the rehabilitation process is learning how to deal with these stresses so they don’t negatively affect the rest of their lives and their families.

Where has life taken you since retirement?Well before I retired, I worked closely with Treatment Solutions Network to place my members, providing the care that they needed. I was so impressed with the company that I started working with them more and have now become a Vice President and shareholder in the company. We have expanded the network to include top rated treat-ment centers, not just in Florida, but across the nation as well. Our network is set up to accept most insurances, self-pay and contracted rates with health & welfare funds to make treatment affordable to everyone.

What is next for you and Treatment Solutions Network?We are working with a committee focus group comprised of leadership from Boston Fire, Boston Police, Providence Fire, MA Department of Corrections and MA Sheriff’s Department. This group is being directed by a highly accomplished therapist to de-sign programs specifically geared toward Unions, Public Safety Officers and to help us better serve the Employee Assistance Professionals we work with. Our programs are designed to find the best possible solution to Dual Diagnosis problems. Solutions that combine, long term success, financial flexibility, and clinical practice into effective services.

Michael J. Blackburn CEAP, LADC-1, SAP, LAP-C,

BRI-IIRetired Battalion Chief

Providence Fire DepartmentLocal 799

Vice President TreatmentSolutions Network

making connections for recovery

To learn more about how we help professionals visit, www.TreatmentSolutionsNetwork.com/professionals,

call toll free, 1-877-417-6237, or contact your local Treatment Consultant.


Homeowners Welcome!

Domestic Violence’s impact in the workplaceBy Steve Miranda

Thebusinesscommunityhascometo

realizethatdomesticviolenceismorethan

aprivatefamilyproblem.Studiesshowthat

whenitcomestobeingabused,whathappens

athomedoesn’tstaythere;itcomestowork

withthevictim.TheAmericanInstitute

onDomesticViolencereportsthatlost

productivityandearningsduetointimate

partnerviolenceaccountsforalmost$1.8

billioneachyear.

Yetthehighcostofdomesticviolenceto

businessesisnotbecauseofabsenteeism

alone.“Workingthroughthepain”simply

meansgettingthroughthedaydespite

headaches,physicalinjuries,depression,

andchronicanxiety;hardlythestateof

mindofaproductiveemployee.Phonecalls

fromtheabuseraddtothestress.Countless

victimsreportharassmentfromtheabuser

throughoutthedayandmuchlikedealing

withanaddictedemployee,anemployeroften

knowsexactlywhattheproblemisandmore

oftenthannot,lookstheotherway.Thisis

exactlywhereanEAPneedstobeutilized.

Muchlikeaddiction,withabuse,lossof

productivityisnotlimitedtothevictim’s

workperformance.Fellowemployeesoften

takeuptheslackofworktheemployeeisnot

performing.Everyone’sproductivitysuffersas

wellastheoverallworkenvironment.

Inextremecases,businesseswillfind

theyneedtoassumetheexpenseofacrisis

managementteam.Suchteams,often

composedofformerpoliceofficersandfire

fighters,counselemployeesindividually,

butmoreofteningroups,intheeventofa

seriousinjuryoreventhedeathoftheabuser’s

target.Itwouldseemsthatthiswouldbe

standardprotocol,however,itissurprisingto

knowthatmanyemployerschoosetoignore

thefalloutfromabuse,addictionormany

othersituationsthatimpacttheworkplace.

Commonsensedictatessecurityand

counseling,butdoesthelawrequirethem?

Aresponsibleemployerprovidesasafe

workplace.Butacompassionateonecan

choosetoprovidecrisiscounseling.Thisis

oftenthedifferencebetweenasuccessful

businessandanunsuccessfulone.

Butwhatdoesthelawrequire?In

California,theemployermustprovidethe

employee/victimtimeawayfromworktoseek

medicalattention,attendcounselingsessions

and/orcourthearingsrelatedtotheabuse.

Timeneededtorelocateduetothedomestic

violenceisalsoincludedinthisprovision.

TheDomesticViolenceEmployment

LeaveActprohibitsemployersof25people

ormorefromdischarging,discriminating

orretaliatingagainstanemployeewhoisa

victimofdomesticviolenceandwhotakes

timeofffromworkfordomesticviolence

relatedservices.Allstatesdon’tapplythesame

standards,butwhetheryouareanemployer

oremployee,itwouldbeinyourbestinterest

toknowexactlywhatyourcurrentsituation

providessinceabuseandaddictionoccurs

daily.

Somecompanies,particularlylarge

corporations,providespecialtrainingin

counselingthevictimformanagementand

preventionprogramsforemployees.However,

recognizingthatnooneinthecompanyis

likelytrainedasaprofessionalcounselor,the

wisestdecisionisoftentoprovidethevictim

withthetoolsnecessarytoextricatethemself

fromthesituation.

Thisincludesenrollinginanemployment

assistanceprogram(EAP).Whenabusiness

signsupwithanEAP,eachemployeeis

givenalog-onIDandphonenumberforthe

program.ThroughtheEAP,theemployee

canaccessassistanceforproblemsincluding,

butnotlimitedto,spousalabuse,financial

difficulty,childcare,alcoholanddrug

counseling,andlegalissues.Nooneatthe

employee’splaceofbusinessneedknowthis

counselingistakingplace.Thecompany’s

HRdepartmentcanaccessadatabasethat

indicatesonlyhowmanyhitsthewebsiteis

showingpermonth,butnotwhoisusingit.

Ifsomethinglikeanemploymentassistance

programisnotavailabletoyouorifyou’re

anemployerthatrecognizesthatthese

systemsneedtobeinplaceifabusinessis

goingtobeaseffectiveaspossible,please

contactTreatmentSolutionsNetworkat

877.417.6237immediatelyandwewillhelp

youfindthebestpossiblesolution.Whether

it’sdomesticviolence,addictionorlegal

issues,TreatmentSolutionsNetworkhas

developedasolutionforanyproblemand

ournetworkcontainseverythinganemployer

oremployeemayneedtodowhat’sbestfor

themselves,theirfamilies,theirco-workers

andthepeoplewhocareaboutthem.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecall

877.417.6237andletushelpyoubuildthe

bestpossiblepathforthefuture.

SteveMirandaisaTreatmentConsultantforTreatmentSolutionsNetwork’sNortheastRegion.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorknowsomeonewhomayneedhisservicesyoumaycontacthimatstevem@tsnemail.comorbyphoneat(508)525-5974.

• Intimate-partner-violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work each year – the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and nearly 5.6 million days of household productivity

• 96% experience problems at work due to abuse

• 74% are harassed while at work by their abuser

• 56% are late to work

• 28% leave work early

• 54% miss entire days of work

If you need assistance or

referrals in your area call the

Domestic Violence 24 Hour

Helpline at 1.800.494.8100


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DaveMellon…….……….………………..President

BobMiller………….……………1stVicePresident

BobLantagne..…………………..2ndVicePresident

MichaelHogan.……………………..…….Treasurer

JohnMeehan………………………………Secretary

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The plight of Social Security and Medicare By John A. Pernorio

Attheendof2011,56millionpeople–retirees,widows,disabledworkers,andchildren–willbereceivingSocialSecuritybenefits. In2011,SocialSecurity’sincome(frompayrolltaxes,incometaxes,andinterestontheU.S.TreasurybondsintheTrustFund)isprojectedtobe$808billion,anditsoperatingandbenefitcostswillbe$738billion.Thesurplus–$69billion–willbedepositedintheSocialSecurityTrustFundtopaybenefitsinthefuture. TheTrustFund’sbalanceattheendof2010:$2.6trillion.Projectedbalanceatendof2011:$2.7trillion.SocialSecurityhasnotcontributedonepennytotheFederaldeficit.Ithasasurplustodaythatworkersandemployerspaid.SocialSecuritybenefitsshouldnotbecuttoreducethedeficit.

TheSocialSecurityTrustFundwillbeexhaustedin2036(oneyearearlierthanprojectedlastyear).Ifnothingisdonebeforethatpoint,expectedbenefitswillbecutby23%. SolvencycouldberestoredifincreasesinrevenuewereimmediatelymadebyincreasingFICA(FederalInsuranceContributionsAct)from12.4%to14.55%. AccordingtoTheTrustees’Report,therewillprobablybeaCostOfLivingAdjustmentnextyearof0.7%.Notmuch,butmorethanthelasttwoyears. InadditiontotheexhaustionoftheSocialSecurityTrustFund, theMedicareHospitalInsuranceTrustFundwillbeexhaustedin2024(fiveyearsearlierthanlastyear’sprojection).Thisfindingwilladdfueltotheargumentthatit’s

hightimetostartreiningintheprogramsoitsurviveslonger. Thedecreaseisduetotheeconomy(lowemploymentandunemploymentmeansdecreasedFICAcontributionstosupporttheprogram)andindividualslivinglonger. Medicare’ssolvencyisgreatlyimprovedbymeasuresincludedintheAffordableCareAct,whichsomeinCongresswanttooverturn.WithouttheACA,thetrustfundwouldhavebeenexhaustedby2016,eightyearsearlier. SomeCongressionalmembersslappedolderAmericansandworkingpeopleinthefaceearlierbyvotingtokeepbillionsinsubsidiesforoilcompanieswhilesupportingabudgetplanthatwouldmakeitevenharderforseniorstovisitadoctorandfilla

prescription. EventhoughpollsshowamajorityofAmericanswanttokeepMedicareintact,someinCongresswouldprefertoreducethefederaldeficitbyendingMedicare,ratherthaneliminatingtheoilsubsidies.BigOilhardlyneedsthehelp.Thenation’sfivelargestoilcompaniesmadenearly$1trillioninprofitsinthepastdecadeandprofitsaresoaringevenmorewithgaspriceshoveringtodayaround$4agallon. Fornearly50years,Medicarehashelpedgenerationsofseniors&disabledstayhealthyandoutofpoverty.Weshouldbeextendingahelpinghandtostrugglingseniors,notprice-gougingoilcompanies. JohnA.PernorioispresidentoftheRhodeIslandAllianceforRetiredAmericans.


Russell LachancePresident

Defenders of Animals explains differences between domestic and feral catsBy Kim Casci

Theweatheriswarmandthedaysare

longer.Atthistimeofyearrescuesand

sheltersgetinundatedwithcallsofassistance

anddropoffsofstraycats,kittens,feralcats,

abandonedcatsandallothermannerof

felines.

Peopleoftenaskustoexplainwhataferal

catis.Aferalcatismerelyacatthatmay

havebeenabandonedorlost,acatthatspent

alotoftimeawayfromhumancontactand

hasbecomescaredofhumans.Aferalcat

isalsoakittenborntoanadultoutsidecat

thatgivesbirthoutsideandahumanhasnot

touchedthelitterofkittens.

Akittenthathasneverhadhumancontact

bytheageof10weeksbecomesskittish,

fearfulandwillrunfromhumans.After10

weeksthekittenwillbecomeaferalcatunless

someonespendsagreatdealoftimeworking

withthecattogainitstrust.

Makenomistakeaboutitthoughacatis

alwaysadomesticatedanimal,whetheritis

skittish,aloof,feraloralapcat.Theyears

andyearsofevolutionandadaptationasa

domesticatedanimaldonotdisappear.Acat

isnotevergoingtobearaccoonorasquirrel.

Itisnotawildanimal.However,caremust

betakeninhandlingaferalcatandifone

istobecomeacaretakerofaferalcatthe

catwillmostlikelyneedtobetrappedina

HaveAHearttrapinordertobevaccinated,

spayedorneuteredandreleasedbacktothe

owner/caretaker.

Feralcatscanliveanormalandhappylife

intheyardorhomeoftheircaretaker.They

requirethesamebasicneedsanydomestic

animalrequires,food,water,shelter

andlove.

Ifyouknowofaferalorstray

catorarefeedingacatandneed

assistancetotrap,vaccinateand

alterthecat,contactarescue

organizationforassistance.Ifyou

wouldliketovolunteertohelpferal,

strayorhomelesscats,pleasedo.

Rescuesneedhelpwitheverything

fromfunding,transport,trapping,

fosteringandbecomingacaretaker

inyouryardorhome.Getinvolved,

savealifeandhelpusendcat

overpopulationinRhodeIsland.

ForinformationonDefendersof

Animalspleasevisitdefendersofanimals.org

orcall401-461-1922.

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Timothy E. QuillenVice President and Bus. Agent

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Nursing education facility in Rhode Island knowledge district would bring jobsBy Michael Sabitoni and Laurie White

TheRhodeIslandstate’sbuildingtradesandthebusinesscommunityisworkingtogetheronthejobsandeconomicdevelopmentfront.OneparticularmatterintheirsightsistheproposalbyRhodeIslandCollegeandtheUniversityofRhodeIslandtobuildanewjointnursingeducationcenterinProvidence.Thelong-awaitedfeasibilitystudycommissionedbythelegislatureisnowcompleteandtherecommendationsformovingforwardonafasttrackareveryexciting. Theunemploymentrate,particularlyintheconstructiontrades,continuestobefrightening.Likewise,hundredsofsmallbusinessesandtheirfragileworkforcearesidelinedwaitingforthenextwaveofbuildingactivity.Thisprojectcouldbealifesaveronmanydimensions–literallyandfiguratively. Becauseprudentbudgetingofpublictaxdollarsisessential,theGeneralAssemblyistobecommendedforinsistingthatarigorousanalysisbedonetoexplorecost,citingoptions,studentenrollmenttrends,workforcepatternsandcompetitivepressures.ThefindingsofthatanalysiswereclearandendorsedunanimouslybyallthreepresidentsofRhodeIsland’spublicinstitutionsofhighereducation(CCRI,RICandURI),byallmembersofthefeasibilitystudycommittee,byhealthcareleadersinthestateandbysenioreconomicadvisors. Anditboilsdowntothis:asingle,state-of-the-artNursingEducationCenterinthedowntownProvidenceKnowledgeDistrict,supportedbymodestenhancementstonursingeducationfacilitiesoneachcampus,shouldbeconstructedbyaprivatedeveloperinpartnershipwiththeState.

Theevidenceiscompellingthatthiswouldbethemostcost-efficientandprogrammaticallyadvancedsolutionforincreasingthecapacityofnursingeducationandthenursingworkforceinRhodeIsland. Asenvisionedanddescribed,thenewfacilitywillbesharedbytheuniquelyexcellentanddifferentiatednursingeducationprogramsatRhodeIslandCollegeandTheUniversityofRhodeIsland.Eachinstitutionwillcontinuetoutilizerenovatedandsomelimitednewspaceatthehomecampustoservecertaineducationneedsofenteringandcontinuingstudents.Thissolutionaddressesmanyneedsandconsiderations.Inadditiontounleashingatorrentofnewjobsatatimewhentheyaredesperatelyneeded,manyotherbenefitsofapublic/privatepartnershipexist. OnegreatbenefitisresolvingthewoefullyinsufficientpublicnursingeducationfacilitiesatRhodeIslandCollegeandTheUniversityofRhodeIsland—nowantiquated,toosmall,andtooenvironmentallycompromisedtoservethepresentandfutureneedsofRhodeIsland’spublicnursingeducatorsandstudents. AnotherbenefitwouldbeprovidingajobspipelineforRhodeIslandersalongallpointsoftheskillsandeconomicspectrum.TheRhodeIslandDepartmentofLaborandTrainingnotesthathalfofallthenewjobsexpectedtobecreatedthrough2018willrelatetohealthcaredeliveryandresearch.Intheirrespectiveleadershiproles,URI,RICandCCRIshareavisiontohonordiversitybyattracting,educatingandgraduatingastudentbodythatmirrorsRhodeIsland’sownethnicandracialdiversity.

EstablishingthemosttechnologicallyadvancednursingsimulationeducationfacilityintheNortheasttoeducatestudentsatalllevels,BStoPhD,inthescienceofsolvingandcaringforcomplex,real-lifehealthcarechallengeswithinalow-risklearningenvironment. ANursingEducationCenterwoulddoublethenumberofhighlyskillednursinggraduatesinRhodeIslandby2020toaddresstheloomingshortageofprofessionalnursesintheStateandthenationandwouldprovidecontinuingandadvancedpracticeeducationtohundredsofcurrentnursesoverthenextdecadetomeettheimmediateelevatedpractice,leadership,andeducationaldemandsoftoday’shealthcareenvironment. AfinalbenefitofaNursingEducationCenterwouldbetofosterinnovativeteachingandtranslationalresearchincollaborationwiththemanymedicalfacilitiesandhealthcarepartnersalreadyco-locatedintheKnowledgeDistrictandtoestablishRhodeIslandasanationalcenterofdistinctionforstate-of-the-arteducationofnursesandpromotingtheeconomicdevelopmentoftheStateinthiscriticallyimportantindustry. Now,hereistheessentialpart.Itistimetoact.Today,thecostofnewconstructionisveryfavorableandthepentupdemandforjobsandeconomicactivityisfeverish.Withallthesoberingissuesonourhorizon,here’saprocessandaresultthatwecanallgetbehind. MichaelSabitoniisPresidentoftheRhodeIslandBuildingandConstructionTradesCouncil;LaurieWhiteispresidentoftheGreaterProvidenceChamberofCommerce.


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PROVIDENCEFIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799

Providence’s BravestSaving Lives and Property Since 1854

Paul A. Doughty, PresidentPhilip F. Fiore, Vice PresidentScott G. Mello, SecretaryJohn F. Woodard, Treasurer

Anthony P. Lancellotti,EAP Chairman

Executive Board Representatives:Christopher J. JannittoJoseph P. MoreinoHans RamsdenWayne C. OliveiraZachariah KenyonAnthony Toro

Rhode Island Judicial,Professional and Technical Employees’

LOCAL UNION 808

Frank A. Ciccone Pasquale Zompa Norma M. Sousa Business Manager President Vice President

Claudia Porrazzo David GarzoneRecording Secretary Executive Board Member

Dominick J. Ruggerio Gina M. Sabitoni-ArakelianSecretary-Treasurer Executive Board Member


Partnering withRhode Island’s Municipalities toProvide the Most Effective and

Cost-efficient Public Employee Benefits

The Rhode Island Public The Rhode Island PublicEmployees’ Health Services Fund Employees’ Legal Services Fund

The Rhode Island Public Employees’ Education,

Training and Apprenticeship Fund

Donald S. Iannazzi, Esq., Chairman

Vicki A. Virgilio Pasquale T. D’Amico Trustee Trustee

Sharen Gleckman Joseph F. Kenney Trustee Trustee

Betty Jackson Chris Lombardi Liaison Coordinator

Rhode Island’s Union Built, Operated and Staffed Facilities

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK CASINOACCOMMODATING 50 - 300(401) 941-5640 (401) 785-9450

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’LOCAL UNION 1033

Representing the Public Servantswho make government work!

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES = PUBLIC SERVICE Cranston Crossing Guards Town of North Kingstown

Lincoln Highway Department Providence Community Action Program

Providence School Department Lincoln Public Library

Narragansett Bay Commission Town of North Providence

City of Providence Narragansett Town Hall

North Providence Crossing Guards Lincoln Water Commission

Providence Civic Center Authority R.I. Department of Transportation

Warwick Crossing Guards North Providence School Department

Lincoln Town Hall

DONALD S. IANNAZZI, ESQ. VICKI A. VIRGILIO Business Manager President

CITY CENTER SKATING RINKACCOMMODATING GROUPS FROM 10 - 400

(401) 331-5544 ExT. 5

Who says a new Man Cave in the basement

isn’t part of life’s journey?!

*Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is for term up to 5 years. Advertised APR is lowest available and reflects a .25%discount with automatic deduction from a Navigant Credit Union checking account – if this is applicable. Rateand other terms accurate as of 3/28/2011 and are subject to change thereafter without notice. Rate is basedon individual creditworthiness. Payment example on $10,000.00 loan at 4.50% APR for 60 months is:$186.43 excluding taxes and insurance. Rate is based on maximum loan-to-value (LTV) of 80%. 1-4 familyowner occupied primary residential properties only. Property insurance and flood insurance (if applicable) isrequired. Other restrictions may apply. Other rates and terms available. For additional information call401.233.4700 or visit navigantcu.org. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

With a home loan from Navigant Credit Union, you can use theequity you've built to make a dream come true. From a collegeeducation to the perfect wedding to a place of your own,complete with mini-fridge and a flat screen the size of Montana.

Call 401.233.4700 or visit navigantcu.org

Enjoy Life’s Journey

4.50%FIXED-RATE HOME EQUITY LOAN

APR*5 Years

Over 200 Vehicles to Choose

Affordable PRE-OWNED

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Bring in this ad and recieve a 42” Plasma TV with purchase.

Call our Credit Hot-Line 24/7 to get approved

1.877.782.7866

VILLAGE MOTORS1040 Charles Street, North Providence, RI

401.727.1700

Common Ground MA July ,2011

Documents

Transcript of Common Ground MA July ,2011