Common Ground MA May, 2011
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866-53-SOBER (76237) www.TreatmentSolutionsNetwork.com R Ground , Inc. TM MAY 2011 Legislation proposes quick use of left over I-195 land By Common Ground Staff Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio is sponsoring a new bill that will cut through arduous red tape and bring jobs to Providence. The bill ensures that the 19.2 acres of land left over from the relocation of interstate 195 will be used in a more expedited fashion than the stricken 2002 bill by giving authority to disperse the land to the Director of the Department of Transportation with approval by the State Properties Committee. “This legislation is the number 1 legislative priority for the city at this time,” said Senator Ruggerio, indicating the importance of making this land profitable for the city in a timely manner. To help with the quick distribution of the land, Senator Ruggerio is looking into the creation of a commission. The commission will take best practices from the Capitol Center Commission and the East Providence Water Front Commission and be made up of city and state representatives. “This Commission would have jurisdiction over the parcels described in the current legislation and would expedite all zoning and permitting processes in an open and transparent manner,” said Senator Ruggerio. The land has huge potential for knowledge- based job opportunities due to the proximity of universities and hospitals. In Section 1 of Senate bill 114, the development of the land will “encourage workforce development, education and training, and the growth of ‘knowledge based’ jobs and industries such as research and development, life sciences, media technologies, entrepreneurship and business management, design, hospitality software design and application, and a variety of other uses consistent with a knowledge based economy.” Once the land is parceled and sold, jobs will become available during the construction of the organizations. During a recent legislative hearing, union leaders expressed their hopefulness for unions to partner with various organizations during construction. Union leaders who attended the hearing included Mike Sabitoni, President of the Building Trades Council, Scott Duhamel, Secretary/Treasurer of the Building Trades Council and Allen Durand, Business Manager for IBEW Local 99. Gov. Lincoln Chafee and Mayor Angel Taveras also testified on behalf of the legislation. Elected officials and members of local associations expressed concern there would be a lack of tax revenue if nonprofit organizations purchase some of the land. The bill addresses that issue with a mandate that would require nonprofits to enter into an agreement for payments in lieu of taxes. However, if an agreement can not be met the sale is still to be completed but, according to the legislation, “the not-for-profit or tax-exempt organization or institution shall make payments to the city of Providence equivalent to those that would be paid by a taxable institution.” MASSACHUSETTS Mark C. Fortune, President Martin J. Walsh, Secretary/Treasurer & General Agent ENSURING ADEQUATE WAGES CREATING OPPORTUNITIES GENERATING JOBS Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District House votes to strip public unions of collective bargaining rights By Common Ground Staff If there was any doubt a storm was brewing in Massachusetts between legislators and union leaders, it is now confirmed by the lightening bolt that occurred in Massachusetts’ House of Representatives last week. The union fight is on after the House approved the state budget with an overwhelming 111 to 42 vote that strips public employees of their collective bargaining rights over health care. The bill, supported by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, proposes a $30.5 billion annual state budget that allows local officials, such as mayors and town councils, to set co-payments and deductibles for local public employees’ health care without negotiating with employees. When the House budget was initially proposed, it unleashed fury from unions across the state especially given unions’ willingness to negotiate with legislatures toward cost savings on health insurance prior to unveiling the budget. “Over a month ago, all municipal unions offered a plan to deliver the same amount of savings sought in this budget item through collective bargaining,” said Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, in a statement regarding the House’s proposal. “We didn’t say we wanted more; we said we simply want a say about how to achieve less of a benefit.We didn’t say we wanted better; we simply said we want a say about how to make our plans worse,” said Haynes. Unions had been fighting hard to stop the bill, even initiating a radio campaign attacking the proposed plan. The greatest contention with the proposal stems from the signal it sends if local officials were allowed to override city unions on changing health insurance plans without negotiations. “This initial proposal takes away long held collective bargaining rights from workers,” said Haynes in his statement. Now, many House Democrats can expect little or no backing from unions come re-election in 2012. Haynes elaborated further in a statement on the AFL-CIO website that it is inconceivable elected representatives would take away people’s rights. He feels House Democrats were unable to stand up to the House Speaker’s proposal and caved under the pressure. “This vote is exactly akin to why management should not have unilateral ability to thrust decisions onto people,” he said. Some slight changes were made to the initial Continued on page 2 The Officers and Members of IBEW, Local 103, Are Proud to Support The Common Ground! INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 103 OF GREATER BOSTON 256 Freeport Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 (617) 436-3710 (617) 436-3299 (Fax) Michael P. Monahan, Business Manager AGENTS Martin E. Aikens William T. Corley Louis J. Antonellis James T. Fay Richard L. Antonellis James M. O’Connell Michael E. Calder Donald F. Sheehan Gary W. Walker John P. Dumas, President Michael J. Mulligan, Jr., Vice President Chuck Monahan, Financial Secretary Jeffrey W. Cain, Treasurer Richard Monahan, Recording Secretary EXECUTIVE BOARD EXAMINING BOARD Sean M. Callaghan Robert F. Bonanno, Jr. Kevin M. Monahan Michael P. Egan Robert Sheehan James J. Frasier Robert T. Spinale Thomas D. Leahy Raymond B. Vinton Jeff M. Sheehan Lee Vigil Affiliated to the Building and Construction Trades Department - AFL-CIO Tel: (617) 282-0080 www.massbuildingtrades.org
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Common Ground Massachusetts May, 2011
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866-53-SOBER (76237) www.TreatmentSolutionsNetwork.com
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CommonGround , Inc.TM
MAY 2011
Legislation proposes quickuse of left over I-195 land By Common Ground Staff
SenateMajorityLeaderDominickRuggerioissponsoringanewbillthatwillcutthrougharduousredtapeandbringjobstoProvidence.Thebillensuresthatthe19.2acresoflandleftoverfromtherelocationofinterstate195willbeusedinamoreexpeditedfashionthanthestricken2002billbygivingauthoritytodispersethelandtotheDirectoroftheDepartmentofTransportationwithapprovalbytheStatePropertiesCommittee. “Thislegislationisthenumber1legislativepriorityforthecityatthistime,”saidSenatorRuggerio,indicatingtheimportanceofmakingthislandprofitableforthecityinatimelymanner. Tohelpwiththequickdistributionoftheland,SenatorRuggerioislookingintothecreationofacommission.ThecommissionwilltakebestpracticesfromtheCapitolCenterCommissionandtheEastProvidenceWaterFrontCommissionandbemadeupofcityandstaterepresentatives.
“ThisCommissionwouldhavejurisdictionovertheparcelsdescribedinthecurrentlegislationandwouldexpediteallzoningandpermittingprocessesinanopenandtransparentmanner,”saidSenatorRuggerio. Thelandhashugepotentialforknowledge-basedjobopportunitiesduetotheproximityofuniversitiesandhospitals.InSection1ofSenatebill114,thedevelopmentofthelandwill“encourageworkforcedevelopment,educationandtraining,andthegrowthof‘knowledgebased’jobsandindustriessuchasresearchanddevelopment,lifesciences,mediatechnologies,entrepreneurshipandbusinessmanagement,design,hospitalitysoftwaredesignandapplication,andavarietyofotherusesconsistentwithaknowledgebasedeconomy.” Oncethelandisparceledandsold,jobswillbecomeavailableduringtheconstructionoftheorganizations.Duringarecentlegislativehearing,unionleadersexpressedtheirhopefulnessforunionstopartnerwithvariousorganizations
duringconstruction.UnionleaderswhoattendedthehearingincludedMikeSabitoni,PresidentoftheBuildingTradesCouncil,ScottDuhamel,Secretary/TreasureroftheBuildingTradesCouncilandAllenDurand,BusinessManagerforIBEWLocal99.Gov.LincolnChafeeandMayorAngelTaverasalsotestifiedonbehalfofthelegislation. Electedofficialsandmembersoflocalassociationsexpressedconcerntherewouldbealackoftaxrevenueifnonprofitorganizationspurchasesomeoftheland.Thebilladdressesthatissuewithamandatethatwouldrequirenonprofitstoenterintoanagreementforpaymentsinlieuoftaxes.However,ifanagreementcannotbemetthesaleisstilltobecompletedbut,accordingtothelegislation,“thenot-for-profitortax-exemptorganizationorinstitutionshallmakepaymentstothecityofProvidenceequivalenttothosethatwouldbepaidbyataxableinstitution.”
MASSACHUSETTS
Mark C. Fortune, PresidentMartin J. Walsh, Secretary/Treasurer & General Agent
ENSURING ADEQUATE WAGES
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
GENERATING JOBS
Building and Construction Trades Council of theMetropolitan District
House votes to strip public unions of collective bargaining rightsBy Common Ground Staff
IftherewasanydoubtastormwasbrewinginMassachusettsbetweenlegislatorsandunionleaders,itisnowconfirmedbythelighteningboltthatoccurredinMassachusetts’HouseofRepresentativeslastweek.TheunionfightisonaftertheHouseapprovedthestatebudgetwithanoverwhelming111to42votethatstripspublicemployeesoftheircollectivebargainingrightsoverhealthcare. Thebill,supportedbyHouseSpeakerRobertA.DeLeo,proposesa$30.5billionannualstatebudgetthatallowslocalofficials,suchasmayorsandtowncouncils,tosetco-paymentsanddeductiblesforlocalpublicemployees’healthcarewithoutnegotiatingwithemployees. WhentheHousebudgetwasinitiallyproposed,itunleashedfuryfromunionsacrossthestateespeciallygivenunions’willingnessto
negotiatewithlegislaturestowardcostsavingsonhealthinsurancepriortounveilingthebudget. “Overamonthago,allmunicipalunionsofferedaplantodeliverthesameamountofsavingssoughtinthisbudgetitemthroughcollectivebargaining,”saidRobertJ.Haynes,presidentoftheMassachusettsAFL-CIO,inastatementregardingtheHouse’sproposal. “Wedidn’tsaywewantedmore;wesaidwesimplywantasayabouthowtoachievelessofabenefit.Wedidn’tsaywewantedbetter;wesimplysaidwewantasayabouthowtomakeourplansworse,”saidHaynes. Unionshadbeenfightinghardtostopthebill,eveninitiatingaradiocampaignattackingtheproposedplan.Thegreatestcontentionwiththeproposalstemsfromthesignalitsendsiflocalofficialswereallowedtooverridecityunions
onchanginghealthinsuranceplanswithoutnegotiations. “Thisinitialproposaltakesawaylongheldcollectivebargainingrightsfromworkers,”saidHaynesinhisstatement. Now,manyHouseDemocratscanexpectlittleornobackingfromunionscomere-electionin2012.HayneselaboratedfurtherinastatementontheAFL-CIOwebsitethatitisinconceivableelectedrepresentativeswouldtakeawaypeople’srights.HefeelsHouseDemocratswereunabletostanduptotheHouseSpeaker’sproposalandcavedunderthepressure. “Thisvoteisexactlyakintowhymanagementshouldnothaveunilateralabilitytothrustdecisionsontopeople,”hesaid. SomeslightchangesweremadetotheinitialContinued on page 2
The Officers and Members of IBEW, Local 103,Are Proud to Support The Common Ground!
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERSLOCAL 103 OF GREATER BOSTON
256 Freeport Street, Dorchester, MA 02122(617) 436-3710 (617) 436-3299 (Fax)
Michael P. Monahan, Business Manager
AGENTS Martin E. Aikens William T. Corley Louis J. Antonellis James T. Fay Richard L. Antonellis James M. O’Connell Michael E. Calder Donald F. Sheehan
Gary W. Walker
John P. Dumas, President Michael J. Mulligan, Jr., Vice PresidentChuck Monahan, Financial Secretary
Jeffrey W. Cain, TreasurerRichard Monahan, Recording Secretary
EXECUTIVE BOARD EXAMINING BOARD Sean M. Callaghan Robert F. Bonanno, Jr. Kevin M. Monahan Michael P. Egan Robert Sheehan James J. Frasier Robert T. Spinale Thomas D. Leahy Raymond B. Vinton Jeff M. Sheehan Lee Vigil
Affiliated to the Building and ConstructionTrades Department - AFL-CIO
Tel: (617) 282-0080 www.massbuildingtrades.org
Page 2 Common Ground MAY 2011
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MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO
IftherewasanydoubtastormwasbrewinginMassachusettsbetweenlegislatorsandunionleaders,itisnowconfirmedbythelighteningboltthatoccurredinMassachusetts’HouseofRepresentativeslastweek.TheunionfightisonaftertheHouseapprovedthestatebudgetwithanoverwhelming111to42votethatstripspublicemployeesoftheircollectivebargainingrightsoverhealthcare. Thebill,supportedbyHouseSpeakerRobertA.DeLeo,proposesa$30.5billionannualstatebudgetthatallowslocalofficials,
suchasmayorsandtowncouncils,tosetco-paymentsanddeductiblesforlocalpublicemployees’healthcarewithoutnegotiatingwithemployees. WhentheHousebudgetwasinitiallyproposed,itunleashedfuryfromunionsacrossthestateespeciallygivenunions’willingnesstonegotiatewithlegislaturestowardcostsavingsonhealthinsurancepriortounveilingthebudget. “Overamonthago,allmunicipalunionsofferedaplantodeliverthesameamountof
savingssoughtinthisbudgetitemthroughcollectivebargaining,”saidRobertJ.Haynes,presidentoftheMassachusettsAFL-CIO,inastatementregardingtheHouse’sproposal. “Wedidn’tsaywewantedmore;wesaidwesimplywantasayabouthowtoachievelessofabenefit.Wedidn’tsaywewantedbetter;wesimplysaidwewantasayabouthowtomakeourplansworse,”saidHaynes. Unionshadbeenfightinghardtostopthebill,eveninitiatingaradiocampaignattackingtheproposedplan.Thegreatestcontention
Local 1033 sets its sights on recoveryBy Common Ground Staff
ThelaborcommunityrecentlymadeasmallstridetowardhelpingoutRhodeIsland’seconomy,demonstratingagainthatunionsarenottoblameforthepoorfinancialsituationinwhichtheOceanStatefindsitself. WorkingwithProvidenceMayorAngelTavares,Local1033oftheLaborersInternationalUnionsignedanagreementthatwillsavethecityanestimated$26millionoverthenextfouryears. Undertheagreement,membersofLocal1033willseedecreasesinwagesandchangestotheirhealthcarebenefits.Someofthekeypointsintheagreementinclude: • Employeestakingpaycutsandforgoingraisesthroughthefiscal2013. • Anincreaseinhealthinsuranceco-paymentsforLocal1033memberswhoearnmorethan $50,000peryear. • Removingretireesfromthecityhealthinsuranceplaniftheycanobtainequivalentcoverage throughajoboraspouse’semployer. • Reducingthesalaryofnewhiresby15percentthroughfiscal2014. ThegoaloftheagreementistoreducetheCityofProvidenceworkforcethroughattritioninsteadoflayoffs.Theagreementwasmetwithoverwhelmingsupport,whichpleasedMayorTavares,whobelievesappropriatecompromisesweremadeandthatunionmemberswouldnothavebeenasreceptiveifmoreconcessionsweresought. Local1033membersfeeltheagreementisundisputableevidencethatthelaborersarewillingtomaketoughchoicesthataddtothegreatergoodoftheentirecommunity.Providence’slargestunion(780members)displayedleadership,settinganexamplethatshouldbefollowed.TheactionsofLocal1033areanindicationofthedirectioninwhichthelaborcommunityisheaded.AdditionalcollectiveeffortscanputProvidenceandmoreimportantly,RhodeIsland,backontherighttrack.
Tufts Medical Center nurses vote to authorize one-day strike Morethan70percentoftheregisterednursesoftheTuftsMedicalCenter(TMC)castadecisivevotetoauthorizetheirunionleadershiptocallaone-daystrikeifTuftsmanagementcontinuestorefusetoagreetodesperatelyneededimprovementsinpatientcareconditionsatthemajorBostonteachinghospital. “Withthisvote,Tuftsnursesaresendingastrongmessagethattheyarereadyandwillingtotakeastandfortheirpatientsandtheirprofession,”saidBarbaraTiller,aregisterednurseandchairoftheMassachusettsNursesAssociation(MNA)localbargainingunitatTuftsMedicalCenter,whichrepresentsmorethan1,100nursesatthehospital.“Nursesareunitedintheirbeliefthatthecurrentstaffingplanatthehospitalisunsafeforpatientsanditneedstochange.Wecanonlyhopethatthehospitalislisteningandwillfinallyworkwithustoaddressthispatientsafetycrisis.” Thestrikeauthorizationvotecomesasthepartiespreparetomeetwithafederalmediator,thenexttolastscheduledsessionbeforetheexpirationofthenurses’unioncontract.Whilethenursesarehopingtoreachanagreementtoprotectpatientsatthehospital,managementhasdrawnalineinthesand,statingrepeatedlythatithasnointerestinagreeingtoenforceable
limitsonnurses’patientassignments. Thevotedoesnotmeanthenurseswillstrikeimmediately.Itgivesthenegotiatingcommitteetheauthorizationtocallaone-daystrikeifandwhenitfeelsitisnecessary.Oncethecommitteeissuesitsofficialnoticetostrike,thehospitalwillthenhave10daysbeforethenurseswillgooutonstrike. Thenurseshaveseriousconcernsaboutrecentchangesinregisterednursestaffinglevelsandotherchangesinhowtheydelivercare.Asaresult,nursesarebeingforcedtocareformorepatientsatonetimeonnearlyeveryunit.Tocompensateforchronicunderstaffing,managementisusingmandatoryovertimeandisforcingnursestofloatfromoneareaofthehospitaltoanother,wheretheymightnotbecompetenttoprovideappropriatecare. “ThosechangestransformedthishospitalfrombeingoneofthebeststaffedhospitalsinBostontotheworststaffedhospitalinthecity,”Tillerexplained.“Asaresult,ournursesspendlesstimewithpatientsthannursesatotherhospitalsinthecity.NootherinstitutioninthecityisoperatingICUs,includingneonatalintensivecareunits,wheretheirnursesareexpectedtocareforthreepatients,noraretheyexpectingtheirmedicalsurgicalnursestocarryContinued on page 5
MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 3
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What every labor leadershould know about TwitterBy Steve Dondley
Ifyou’relikethelaborleadersIknow,youdon’thaveiteasy.Beingresponsibleforthelivelihoodsofworkershasgottobeoneofthemoststressfuljobs,uptherewithairtrafficcontrollersandfirefighters.Everydaybringsanewchallengeorcrisisthatjustaddstothepileofotherproblemsthatyoudealwith.Sowhenyou’retoldyoushouldsetupaTwitteraccountandadd“tweeting”toallofyourotherdutiesandresponsibilities,you’reprobablyinclinedtolaughoffthesuggestionbecausethelastthingyouneedissomethingelsetojuggle. You’reprobablystillcurioustoknowmoreaboutTwitter.Theservicehashadtonsofbuzzoverthelastcoupleofyears,andthewholeTwitterphenomenashowsnosignofabating.Soyouhavetofigureit’sgoodforsomething,right?There’sagoodchanceyouvisitedTwitterandmaybeyouevensignedupforanaccounttoseewhatitwasallabout.Andmostlikelythat’saboutasfarasyougotbecause,onthefaceofit,Twitterseemstobeaworthlesscommunicationtool. Toalargeextent,you’reright.ThetruthisthatTwitterisnotanefficientwayofgettingyourmessageheard,atleastatfirst.AlthoughyourTwittermessages,or“tweets,”willbevisibleonapublicWebpage,theyareunlikelytobeseenbyanyonethere.Instead,yourtweetswillprobablyonlybeseenonlybythosewhoactivelyfollowyouraccount.Wecallthoseindividualsyourfollowers.Itcantakeweeks,months,evenyearsbeforeyoubuildupanysignificantnumberoffollowers.Butevenafteryouhavealargefollowing,there’sagoodchanceyourTwitterdispatcheswillfallondeafears.ThedirtysecretofTwitteristhatyourtweetsarelikelytobereadonlybyasmallminorityofyouraudience.Ifyouhave500followers,you’reluckyifoneofyourtweetsreaches50ofthem.Ifyou’vegotsomethingimportanttoshare,you’llreachamuchwideraudiencebygettingalettertotheeditorpublishedinyourlocalnewspaper. SowhatgoodisTwittertoyourunionortoyouasaunionleaderandwhyshouldyouinvesttimelearningmoreaboutit? Thefirstimportantthingtounderstand
aboutTwitteristhatit’sabettertoolfornetworkingthanitisformessaging.Inotherwords,Twitterisexcellentforbuildingrelationshipswithpeoplebutnotefficientfordisseminatinginformationtoabroadaudience.ThinkofTwitterlikeyouwouldacocktailparty.Youdon’tgotoacocktailpartywithamegaphoneandstartwhoopingupthecrowdwithyourunion’smessage.Instead,yougotominglewithahandfulofpeople,toexchangeinterestingstoriesorprivatebitsofgossipandtospreadyourowninfluence.Twitterisusedinmuchthesameway.Itdoesn’treallymatterthatnoteveryoneatthecocktailpartyhearseverywordyouutter.Ifyougetanopportunitytocreategoodvibesandbendtheearofajournalist,apolitician,oneofyourunionmembersorapeer,that’shuge. Twitterisalsoagreatwaytosimplybeseen.Imagineifyoustoppedgoingtoyourlaborcouncilmeetings,topoliticalralliesandotherfunctionsinyourcommunity.Peoplewouldwonderifyourunionisstillrelevant,andtheywillstartquestioningthestrengthofyourorganization.Becomingarecluseisadeadlystrategyforyourlaborunion.Evenifnoonereadsasingleoneofyourtweets,merelyhavinganaccountsignalsthatyourunionisreadyandwillingtoengagewiththecommunityaroundyou.Ofcourse,youhavetomakesurepeopleknowyouhaveaTwitteraccount.OnegoodwaytoaccomplishthatistoplacealinktoyourTwitterpageonyourlocal’sWebsiteorbyembeddingyourTwittermessagesintoyourWebsiteandhavethemautomaticallyupdate. AnotherwayTwittercanhelpyourunionisbycuttingthroughothercommunicationnoise.Inthegoodolddays(about10yearsago),wehadamuchsimplermediaenvironment.SuretheInternetexisted,butitwasn’tnearlyaslargeorasubiquitousasitistoday.Backthen,unionshadadistinctadvantagebecausetheyhadtheresourcestoprintanddistributeflyersorsendoutmailingsandadvertisewhileotherorganizationscouldn’t.Nowweliveinamuchnoisiercommunicationenvironment,andtherearetonsoftoolsforindividualsandorganizationstopromotetheirmessageona
verylowbudget.Twitterisacheapwaytohelpyoubreakthroughthatnoise,atleasttothosewhofollowyou.Yourtweets,alongwithyourunion’slogoattachedtothem,arelikemini-advertisementsthatremindyourmembersandthecommunitythatyourunionisthere,eveniftheydon’treadeveryoneofyourtweets.Twittercanbemuchmoreusefulasamessagingsystemonlywhenyouhavealargenumberoffollowers.Yourtweets,ifconsideredsignificantbyothers,aremuchmorelikelytogoviralandbetweetedtotheirfollowers,whointurnwilltweettotheirfollowersandsoon.Ofcourse,notallofyourmessagesaregoingtogovirallikethat.Ithastobeofenoughimportancetoothersthattheywilltweetit.Ifyourmessagedoesgoviral,itwilltravelveryquicklytohundredsoreventhousandsofotherTwitterusers.Fromthere,peoplewillstartpostingyourstoryontheirblogs,Facebookaccounts,e-mailaccountsandothercommunicationchannels.Whenthathappens,youhaveharnessedthefullpotentialofTwitterasacommunicationtool. ThelastthingyoushouldknowaboutTwitteristhattheverysmallinvestmentintimeneededtosetupandmaintainaTwitteraccountisworththeeffort.Tweetsareshortandcanbeassimpleasalinktoaninterestingnewsstoryyouwanttopromote.Andyoucantweetrightfromyoucellphonewhenyouhaveasparemoment.Ifyoutweetsomethinginterestingthatgetspassedaroundbyyourfollowers,youwillgraduallyamassafairlysubstantialfollowing.Justbepersistentaboutupdatingit,andtheservicewillpayoffwithtime. TherearealsowaystoautomaticallyupdateyourTwitteraccountfromyourFacebookpageorWebsite.ButbewareoftreatingTwitterasanafterthoughtinsteadofanintegralpartofyourunion’soverallcommunicationstrategy.Likeanything,yougetoutofTwitteronlywhatyouputintoit.Inaddition,becarefulnottoneglectyourTwitteraccount,otherwiseitwilljustbecomeanembarrassment. Steve Dondley is the president of Prometheus Labor Communications and provides a resource for labor communications through his Web site, communicateordie.com.
Page 4 Common Ground MAY 2011
Putting the needs of adults ahead of students isn’t the answerBy Tom Hoffman
ProvidenceMayorAngelTaveras,theProvidenceSchoolBoard,andparents,teachersandcommunityleadersacrossthecityhavespentthespringgrapplingwithareported$100millionstructuraldeficitcitywideandacrashcourseofschoolclosuresandreorganizations. WhileTaverashasputforwardaproposaltoclosefourProvidenceschoolsatanestimatedsavingsof$10millionayear,CranstonMayorAllanFunghasquietlysubmittedaplantotheRhodeIslandDepartmentofEducationtoopenafiveschool“mayoralacademy”thatwould,overtime,serve1,300Providencestudents,and,asMayorFunghasputit,see$20millionayear“funneledintoCranston”fromProvidence. ExplaininghowandwhythemayorofCranstonisproposingtoblowa$150milliondollarholeovertwelveyearsinProvidence’scitybudgetrequiresaquickdiversionintoRhodeIslandcharterschoollaw. Since1995,RhodeIslandlawhaspermittedthecreationofcharterschoolsaspublicschoolsseekingthe“promiseofincreasedaccountabilityforstudentachievementinexchangeforincreasedschoolautonomy.”Theseschoolscouldexistbothwithinorindependentofschooldistrictsandtheirunionbargainingunitsandactasalaboratoryforavarietyofeducationalinnovationsandstrategies.Therearecurrently14“traditional”charters. Inanefforttoacceleratechartergrowth,in2008agroupofself-stylededucationreformersledbyCumberlandMayorDanielJ.McKeesuccessfullypushedforthecreationofanewkindofcharterschoolcalleda“mayoralacademy.”Thesetypesofcharterscanbeexemptedfromtheprevailingwageandstatepensionguaranteesmaintainedin“traditional”charters.Traditionalchartersincludestudentsfrombothurbanandnon-urbandistricts,andtheirboardsareledbyamayorrepresentingoneoftheinvolveddistricts.Thereiscurrentlyonemayoralacademy,BlackstoneValleyPrep,inCumberland. ChartergrowthnowtakesplaceinacontextofdecliningenrollmentandfiscalcrisisinProvidenceandotherdistricts,andunderanewfundingformulawhere“themoneyfollowsthechild.”Eachchildwhoattendsachartertakestheirshareofstate,federalandlocalfundingwiththemtothecharter,deductedfromtheirhomedistrict. Withthisbackdrop,MayorFunghasproposedtocreatetheAchievementFirstMayoralAcademies(AFMA),incooperationwiththeRhodeIslandMayoralAcademiesnon-profit(RIMA)andAchievementFirst,aConnecticut-basednon-profitcharterschoolmanagementorganization.Theplanwouldgrowoverthecourseof12yearstoencompassfiveschoolsserving1,792studentsfromProvidenceandCranston–twoK-4elementaries,two5-8middleschools,anda
highschool. DespitethefactthatnorepresentativeofProvidence’sgovernmentorcivicorganizationsparticipatedinthecreationofthisproposal,itsbudgetprojectsastudentbodycomprisedof75%Providenceresidents.Unlikemanyurban/suburbanmagnetschoolsandothercross-districtprograms,thisschoolwillnotseektoreducetheburdensofsegregationfacedbylow-incomeurbanstudents.Indeed,theirbudgetanticipatesan80%low-incomestudentbody,similartoProvidence’sbutfarhigherthanCranston’s33%receivingsubsidizedlunches. MayorFung’ssolutiontoraceandincome-basedachievementgapswithinhiscity’sschoolsistoofferthemaspecialschooltheycanattendwithpoorchildrenfromProvidence. ThelackofinputandinformedanalysisofProvidence’sneedsandwantsforitschildrenisevidentinthedistributionofgradelevelsinFung’splan.Providence’sstrongestandmostpopularschoolsareitsneighborhoodelementaryschools,includingwellregardedschoolsinthesouthendofthecitylikeA.S.Feinstein,Fortes,HighlanderCharter,Lima,andReservoir. TheAFMAwouldseektodraw750K-5students,andthefundingassociatedwiththem,outofProvidence,leadinginevitablytotheclosureofyetmoreneighborhoodelementaryschools,withallthedestabilizationthisentails.
Meanwhile,Providence’shighschoolsarespiralingintoaneverdeepeningcrisistriggeredinrecentyearsbyaconfluenceoffederal,stateandlocaledicts,yetAFMAwouldnotopenitshighschooluntil2020,withasingleclassof85students.In2024,$150milliondollarslater,Providencewouldseeabout40ofitsyoungresidentsgraduatefromthemayoralacademy. Thisemphasisonbuildingelementaryschoolsisaclassicexampleofwhateducationreformersliketorefertoas“puttingtheneedsofadultsaheadofstudents’.”Providence’skidsaredesperateforbetterhighschooloptions,buthighschoolsareharder,particularlyintermsoftestscores,soFungandAchievementFirstwillbuildmoreelementaryschools. Theacademies’proposedgovernancestructureisalsoproblematic.Bystatue,theschools’boardofdirectorsmustbecomprisedof“representativesfromeachincludedcityortown.”Intheproposedimplementation,Fungwouldbeboardchair,andbetween
sixandeightadditionalmemberswouldberecommendedbyFungandAchievementFirstandappointedbytheRIMAboard,whichincludesFung,MayorMcKeeandseveralcharterschooladvocatesfromoutsideRhodeIsland.However,norepresentativeofProvidencegovernmentortheleaderofanycommunityorconstituentgroupbasedinProvidencewouldberepresented. Instead,ProvidencewillberepresentedbywhomeverFung,AchievementFirstandRIMAdecideshouldrepresentit.ThereisnodefinedprocessintheproposalforthemayorofProvidenceeverhavingaturnasboardchairorguaranteeingaroleforarepresentativeofProvidencecitygovernment. AchievementFirst’srelationshiptotheboardisthatofacontractor,whosemanagementfeesamountto10%oftheschool’stotalgovernmentfunding,reachingover$2.5millionayearwhentheschooliscomplete.Yettheyalsoaretobegiven“significantinput”intothedevelopmentoftheboardwhichoverseesthem.Thisisprobablytopreventarepeatofwhathappenedatthefirstmayoralacademy,whichdecideditsoutsidemanagementorganizationwastooexpensiveandkickeditoutwithinthefirsttwoyearsofoperation. Intheend,perhapsalltheabovedoesnotmatterifAFMAcanraisestudentachievement.Indeed,AchievementFirst’soriginalmiddleschoolsinNewHavenarewidelypraised.However,asthey’veattemptedtoscaleup,bothingraderangesandgradelevels,theresultshavebeenmixed. LastyeartheirfourNewYorkCityschoolsgradedbytheDepartmentofEducationreceivedthreeC’sandaB.AreportbytheNYCOfficeofCharterSchoolsobservedalackofopportunitiesforstudentstodisplaycriticalthinkingskillsorself-expressionatAchievementFirstEndeavormiddleschool. WhenAmistadAcademyinNewHavenexpandedinto9thgrade,withastudentbodycomprisedentirelyofstudentsfromAchievementFirst’smiddleschool,32percentof9thgradersfailedtwoormorecoursesdidnotmoveonto10thgradein2007,in2008,thenumberwasstill20%. OfficeofTransformationhasapprovedtheAchievementFirstMayoralAcademiescharterproposalforfurtherreviewandpubliccommentbuthasnotsetadateforpublichearings.Afterthisperiod,CommissionerGistwillmakearecommendationtotheBoardofRegents,whowillmakeafinaldecisiononthecharter. Tom Hoffman is a former teacher in the PPSD and member of the PTU. He now manages SchoolTool, a project which creates free and open source software for schools in the developing world.
Projected Annual PPSD Losses to Fung’s Achievement First Mayoral Academy
MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 5
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Continued from page 2assignmentsofuptosevenpatientsonaregularbasis.” Tilleraddedthatstaffingchangeshavecausedadramaticdeteriorationinboththequalityofcarenursesaredeliveringand,insomecases,hasresultedinseriouslapsesincare.Inthepast15months,nurseshavefiledmorethan600reportsofincidentsthatjeopardizedpatientcare.Inaddition,morethan80percentofthenurseshavesignedpetitionscallingforsafestaffinglevels. “Iseenursesalloverthehospitalgoinghomelateandintearsoverhowbadtheirshiftwas,andIhearthattheyspendsleeplessnightswonderingwhattheymissedorfeelinghorribleaboutnotbeingabletoprovidethelevelofcaretheyknowtheirpatientsdeserve.Evenoneofthoseoccurrencesisunacceptable,buttohaveithappeningnearlyeverydayisdisgracefulanditispatentlydangerous,”Tilleradded. “Issuesthatareoccurringfromlargerpatientassignmentsincludedelaysinnursingassessment,delayedadministrationofmedicationsandtests,nursesmissingsignificantchangesinpatients’healthstatus,poorpatientoutcomes,patientsfallingduetolackofassistanceingettingupandmovingandpatientsbeingleftinsoiledbedsforhoursatatime,”shesaid.
TheMNApointstoasignificantbodyofresearchdemonstratingthelinkbetweenpoorstaffingandtheuseofforcedovertimetoavarietyofpoorpatientoutcomesandanincreaseinpreventablepatientdeathsinthenation’shospitals. Forexample,astudyinthe“JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation”foundthateverypatientabovefourassignedtoaregisterednurseresultedina7percentincreaseintheriskofdeathforallpatientsunderthatnursescare.SowhenaTuftsnursecomplainsabouthavingsevenpatientsatonetime,thesciencedemonstratesthatallofthosepatientsareata21percentgreaterriskofdeath.Additionally,thosesamestudiesdemonstratethatwhennurseshavefewerpatients,therearesignificantlyfewercomplications,patientsatisfactionincreasesandnurseretentionimproves,withnonegativeimpactonhospitals’financialperformance.Otherstudieshavefoundthatnursesworkingmandatoryovertimearethreetimesmorelikelytomakeamedicationerror,andanewstudyfoundthathavingnursesworkmorethan12hoursresultsinanincreaseinpatientdeathsinhospitals.TheInstituteofMedicinehasrecommendedthatnonurseeverberequiredtoworkmorethan12hours,whichisaregularoccurrenceatTuftsMedicalCenter.
The1,100registerednursesatTMCinnegotiationsforanewcontractareseekingcontractuallyguaranteedsafestaffinglevels.AtTufts,managementhasnotonlyincreasednurses’workload,butithasalsorefusedtoadjuststaffingbasedontheacuityofpatients’illnesses.Inadditiontocallingforimprovedstaffinglevels,thenursesareseekingaprovisionthatwouldcreateaprocesstomeasuretheacuityofpatientsoneachunitandeachshiftsothatstaffingcouldbefurtheradjustedtomeettheactualneedsofpatients. Thenursesarealsocallingforprohibitionsagainstforcedovertimeandtheinappropriatefloatingofnurses--allofwhichareneededtoensurethatpatientsatthemedicalcenterreceivethecaretheydeserve. ThenursesbegannegotiatinganewcontractinSeptember2010,andatotalof15negotiatingsessionshavebeenheldtodate.Thenurses’contractexpiredonDec.31,anditwasextendedbyagreementofbothparties. “Wesincerelyhopethehospitalwillfinallycometothetabledeterminedtoresolvetheseissues,”Tillerexplained.“Forourpart,wearedeterminedtodowhateverittakestoprotectourpatientsbecausetheyaretheoneswhohavethemosttoloseifconditionsdon’timprove.Forourpatients,thisistrulyamatteroflifeanddeath.”
Page 6 Common Ground MAY 2011
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‘Journal’ is anti-labor corporate stoogeBy Patrick J. Quinn
“TheProvidenceJournal’s”April3Commentarysectionwaseasilythecrescendoofanti-worker,anti-unionvitriolthathasbeenbuildinginthepaperoverthepastfewyears,withnolessthanahalf-dozenattacksonworkersandtheirorganizations.Thatreflectsthejoiningofitscorporatelabor-relationspolicyanditseditorialbias. “TheJournal’s”attempttocharacterizethecurrentfiscalcrisesasthefaultofunionizedpublic-sectorworkershasnobasisinreality.Schoolteachers,firefighters,nurses,policeofficersandsewage-treatmentplantworkersgotoworkeverydaytoprovideservicestoourcommunities--andsomehowtheirretirementplansaretoblamefortheeconomicdepression? No.TheeconomycrashedbecauseoffecklessspeculationonWallStreet--broughtuponbyderegulationandgreed.Thedecisionsthatbroughtoureconomytoitskneeswerealldeliberatepolicychoicesenactedbyagovernmentthatfavorstherichoverworkingpeople.Allworkershavebeenhurtbythecurrenteconomiccrisisregardlessofwhomtheyworkfororhowwelltheyarepaid. Workerswithdefined-benefitpensions,whetherinthepublicsectorortheprivatesector,hadgreaterprotectionsandsecurityovertheirretirementplans--protectionsthatworkerswitha401(k)donothave. Takingawaydefined-benefitpensions
fromworkerswhohavethemdoesnothingtoimproveretirementsecurityforotherworkers.Ratherthanfighttomoveeveryoneuptoastandardofdecentandsecureretirement,“TheJournal’s”editorialboardthinksitwouldbebettertodrageveryonedown--claimingthatunionmembersneedtogetintouchwith“reality.” Buttherealityisthatthecorporatechiefexecutivesandbig-bankmogulskepttheirmultimillion-dollarsalariesandbonusesafterdestroyingoureconomy.WallStreetgotbailedout,andMainStreetAmericagotsoldout. Andpleasespareusthefictionthat“TheJournal’s”motivationinthisdebateistoachieveabetterdealfortheaverageRhodeIslandworkingfamilyintheprivatesector.Therichmenrunningitneversupportworkerstryingtoachieveadecentretirementplan. “TheJournal”wasnottherestickingupformanufacturingworkersduringthedebateontheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement,whichhasdestroyedmillionsofmanufacturingjobsnationallyandthousandslocally.“TheJournal”wassilentwhenColibriworkershadtheirlivesdestroyedbyanout-of-stateprivateequityfirmthatshutdowntheirplantwithnonoticeandnoseverancepay.Thenewspaperneverliftedavoicewhenglobalization’sugliness--intheformofWal-Mart--threatenedjobsatRhodeIslandfirms
suchasBradfordSoapInc. “TheJournal”cannotevenfinditsvoicewhenunemployedworkersaretoldthattheirmeaslybenefitsaretoogenerous.Iwillnotholdmybreathwaitingforittoweighinagainstproposalsbyacademic“experts”toraisetheretirementagesothatcertifiednursingassistantscanworkrightuptothedaytheybecomepatientsinthenursinghomestheyworkin. Andthen“TheJournal”hasthenervetomalignthepoliticalactivityofworkingpeoplewhentheyorganizethroughtheirunions. If“TheJournal”editorialboardreallybelievesthatallworkersdeservetogettreatedfairly,thenitshouldadvocatethatthegovernmentleveltheplayingfieldwhenworkerstrytoorganizeaunion;itshouldeditorializeagainstabusiveprivate-sectoremployersthatthreaten,coerceandintimidateworkerswhodotrytoorganize;anditshouldadviseeveryworkerwhoisn’tyetinauniontojoinonerightaway. Patrick J. Quinn is executive vice president of Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union.
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Massachusetts AFL-CIO sets the record straight OneoftheargumentsusedbytheMassachusettsMunicipalAssociationandotherswhoarepromotinggivingcitiesandtownsunilateralcontroloverhealthinsuranceformunicipalemployeesis:“Stateemployeesdonotcollectivelybargainoverhealthinsurance,whyshouldmunicipalemployeeshavethatright?” Thatsimplisticargumenttotallyignoreshowtheprovisionofhealthinsurancehashistoricallyevolvedbetweenstateemployeesandthecommonwealthandbetweenmunicipalemployeesandthecitiesandtowns. AkeydistinctionisthattheGroupInsuranceCommission(GIC)wasestablishedbeforecollectivebargainingrightsweregranted.TheGICwassetupin1955toprovidehealthinsuranceonlyforstateemployeesanditsretirees. Anotherdistinctionisthatmunicipalworkersweregrantedcollectivebargainingrightsbeforestateworkers.Whenmunicipal
employeesreceivedcollectivebargainingrightsin1965,theybegantobargainwithlocalgovernmentsoverhealthinsurance.TherewasnoGICformunicipalemployees.Eachcommunitynegotiateditsownhealthinsuranceplanwithmunicipalunions,andeverysuccessiveagreementoverthelast-halfcenturyreflectsthat. Furthermore,stateemployeeswerealreadyintheGICwhentheyweregrantedfullcollectivebargainingrightsin1973.Atthattime,theGIChadbeeninexistencefor18years,andthestatutethatcreatedtheGICforstateemployeeswasleftuntouched. Afinaldistinctionisthathavinga“voice”or“say”isnotthesameas“collectivebargaining.”SomehavealsoarguedthatsinceeachcommunityhasanInsuranceAdvisoryCommittee(IAC)madeupofunionrepresentativesandmanagement,thattheunionsdohaveasayjustliketheydoontheGIC.
However,whiletherearenotanequalnumberofunionrepresentativesontheGIC,theydohavevotingrights.TheIACsarejustwhattheirnameimplies–advisory.OftentheIACsdonotevenmeet,andtheyneverhaveabindingvote.TheIACswerenotsetupasasubstituteforcollectivebargainingoverhealthinsurance.TheGIC,attheveryleast,hasvotingcommissioners.Stateemployeescanlobby200legislatorsandthegovernor,amuchmoredemocraticprocessthangivingmanagementunilateralpowers. Thereisnoreasontoupsetthislongstandingrightofmunicipalemployeestobargainovertheirhealthinsurance.Thepublicsectorunionshavebeenclear--theyarewillingtoengageinanexpeditedbargainingprocessthatwillproducethesameamountofsavingsforthecommunityasanyoftheplansproposedbytheMMA,theMetropolitanMayorsAssociationorbytheHouseWaysandMeansCommittee.
Page 8 Common Ground MAY 2011
AFSCME Local 2881
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Nurses Picket at Leominster Hospital TheregisterednursesattheUniversityofMassachusettsMemorial/HealthAllianceLeominsterCampusHospitalheldaninformationalpicketinordertoenlightenthepublicaboutseriousissuesaffectingthequalityofpatientcareandtosharethenurses’struggleforafairandequitablecontract. Thenurses,membersoftheMassachusettsNursesAssociation(MNA)bargainingunit,havebeeninnegotiationswiththehospitalsinceNovember2010andhavenotreachedanagreement.Thequalityofpatientcaretheyareabletodeliverisaseriousissueforthenurses.Inthelastfiveyears,79eight-hourshiftshavebeeneliminatedinthehospital.Thatmeansthenumberofregisterednurseshasdeclinedtoapointthathasaffectedthequalityofcarepatientsreceive. “Asthehospitalhascutshiftsfornurses,theremainingRNsarerequiredtodomorewithless,leavingthefloornurses
overworked.Thisisnotgoodforthepatientsorthenurses.Asweseetheacuityofourpatientsrise,oftenwearerequiredtospendtimewithnewtechnologyratherthanwithourpatients,”saidNataliePereira,aregisterednurseandchairofthebargainingunit. “Wearepulledinsomanydirectionsitishumanlyimpossibletogivetheexcellentcareweallwishwecould.Itisnotsurprisingpatientsurveysshowthatpatientsatisfactionnumbershavefallen.Inaddition,asthehospitalcontinuestoincreasetheworkloadofnurses,itisattemptingtodisciplineRNsforminorclericalinfractions,”shesaid. Inanattempttocovershortstaffing,thehospitalhascomeupwithoneplanthatwouldonlymaketheissuemoredangerous.IntheFosterWing,whichwaspreviouslyclassifiedasanintensivecarestepdownunitwithanursetopatientratioof1-to-4,thehospitalchangedtheunitnametoTelemetry,withastaffingratio
of1-to-5.Manynursesfeelthatiswrongsincetheacuityofpatientsneverreallychanged. Now,thehospitalwantsthechargenursetotakeatwotofivepatientassignmentandatthesametimebeassignedtoahospitalwiderapidresponseteam.Thatwouldtakethechargenurseofftheunitforextendedperiodsoftime,leavingthechargenurse’spatientstothefloornurses,furtherincreasingtheirnurse-to-patientratio. Alsodisturbingtothenursesisthemassiveincreasetotheirhealthcareinsurancecosts.Whilereducingthenumberofnursingpositionsinthehospital,theadministrationhasalsomadeaconcertedefforttoreducethenumberofscheduledhoursanurseworks,resultinginonly2740-hourpositionsand8024-hourpositions. Historically,thecollectivebargainingagreementhashadaprovisiontopayfull-timehealthinsurancebenefitsforanynurse
working24hours.Now,thehospitalwantstoremovethatbenefitandforce24-hournursestodoubleortripletheirhealthinsurancecontributions. “Manynursesagreedtothecutinhoursbecausethehospitalcontinuedtoofferhealthinsuranceatthesamecost.Nowthehospitalisaskingthenursestoacceptaverylargeincreaseinhealthcarecostsfor80-plusnurses.TheMNAhasmadecounterproposalstospreadtheincreasedcostoveraperiodoftime,butmanagementhasrefusedourproposal,”Pereirasaid. Thenursesfeelitistimeformanagementtobefairandsettlethecontract.“Wehaveofferedmanycompromisestomanagementthatwouldresolvemostoftheoutstandingissues.Itistimefortheadministrationtoacceptourproposalssowecangetbacktotheprimarytaskathand,providingourpatientswiththequalitycaretheydeserve,”Pereirasaid.
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
benefits, safer workplaces, and a dignified quality of life for all working families.
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
MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 9
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UA Local Union 51 Plumbers • Pipefitters • Refrigeration
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Railroad service emerging again after a bumpy ride in Rhode Island By Barry Schiller
Weallheardhowinthe19thcentury,railroadswerekeytobuildingupAmerica,anddespitewell-knowninstancesofexploitingimmigrantlabor,theindustrywasalsooneofthefirsttounionizeandprovideanentryforworkingfolksintothemiddleclass.Eveninsegregatedtimes,African-Americanswereinthesleepingcarportersunion.Tothisday,railroadingislargelyunionizedandisasourceofgood,ifoftenstrenuous,jobs,someofwhichwerehighlightedinanApril“CommonGround”storyaboutthenewcontractforMassachusettsBayTransportationAuthority(MBTA)locomotiveengineers. However,withtheriseofaviationandhighwaysinthe20thcentury,railwayswentintodecline.ServicewascutbackandinRhodeIsland,branchestoPascoag,Hartford,Narragansett,PontiacandtheEastBaywereabandoned.SoonaftertheConnecticutTurnpikewascompleted,theNewHavenRailroadwentbankrupt,andlaterthePennCentral,itssuccessorinourregion,alsofailed. Inaddition,therailfreightsystemwasinshambles.Passenger
stationsfellintodisrepair,servicedeclinedandcommuterservicebetweenProvidenceandBostoncametoanend.PresidentNixon’sadministrationcreatedAmtraktorunremnantsofthenationalpassengerservice,probablywiththeexpectationofphasingitoutentirely.PresidentReagandidindeedtrytoshutdownAmtrak,thoughitlimpedalongwithinadequateresourcesandlittlecapitalinvestment. Trainsstillhadtheirdefenders,nottheleastofwhichwasRhodeIsland’sownU.S.Sen.ClaibornePell,whohelpedcreateinterestinimprovingthe“Northeastcorridor”raillinebetweenBostonandWashington.Environmentalgroupsalsosupportedrailroading;investorssawopportunitiesinshortlinessuchastheProvidence&WorcesterRailroad;andrailpassengersorganizedatnationalandlocallevels.TheRhodeIslandAssociationofRailPassengersisanactivegrouprepresentedonthestateTransportationAdvisoryCommitteeandoncommitteesdevelopingastaterailplanandconsideringpossiblecommuterserviceintheBlackstoneValley.
Growinghighwayandairportcongestionalsohelpedmakefolksseeaneedforrailtravel.RhodeIslandformeda“pilgrimpartnership”withtheMBTAtorestoreProvidence-to-Bostoncommuterservice,whichimmediatelysurpassedridershipprojections. RhodeIslandvotersapprovedfreightrailimprovementbondsforQuonsetPoint,partofwhichisnowusedforcommuterrailtoWarwick.Freightrailcompaniesarenowprofitableandinvestingininfrastructureatalevelofabout$12billionayear.ThefederalgovernmentelectrifiedtheBoston-to-NewHavenmainlinethroughtheOceanState,meaningNortheastcorridortrainscanrunwithoutdependingonforeignoil.Amtrakservicelevelsincreased,especiallywithAcelaExpressservice.Onmostdaysnow,thereare18trainsrunningeachonthecorridorthroughRhodeIsland.VolunteersstartedtherestorationofthehistoricKingstonStation,andtheRhodeDepartmentofTransportation(RIDOT)finishedthatprojectandalsorestoredWesterly’sstation.Otherstatesalsopromotedrail
improvements,andAmtrakridershiphasboomed.Despitetherecession,therewasrecordridershipin2010,andithascontinuedtogroweverymonththisyear. Thereisabigwish-listnationallyandlocallyforfurtherimprovements.TheObamaadministrationhasmadeinvestinginhigh-speedrailapriority,realizingitsusefulnessforeconomicdevelopmentandcompetitiveness.InRhodeIsland,extendingcommuterrailsouthtoWickfordJunctioncouldbecompletedinayearorso.TherearealsohopesforcommuterrailextensionstoKingston,WesterlyandtheBlackstoneValley.TherearehopesforanewstationinPawtucket,wheremembersofthePawtucketFoundationandcityofficialsseearestoredcommuterrailstopasakeyredevelopmenttool.EvenonAquidneckIslandthereissomeinterestinmakingbetteruseoftheraillinealongthewestshore. Also,repairsareneededaroundtheAmtrakstationinProvidenceandsomepeoplewouldliketoseearealAmtrakstationatT.F.GreenInternationalAirport.Allthisisbeingconsideredinanongoingdevelopmentofastaterailplantoestablishpriorities
andconsiderfinancing. AnewbreedofRepublicansseemsbitterlyopposedtorailimprovementsalongwithpeoplewhohaveinterestsintheoilandautomobileindustries.GOPgovernorsinNewJersey,Wisconsin,OhioandFloridahaverejectedfederalrailimprovementfunding;andtheGOP-controlledU.S.HouseofRepresentativeshasnixedall2011high-speedrailfundsandeventakenbacksomeunspent2010railfunding. It’stemptingtoletthosestatesstewinpollutionandcongestion,butwedoneedanationalrailnetworkforRhodeIslandtoconnectto.NewJersey’srejectionoffundingforanotherHudsonRiverrailtunnellimitsthefrequencyofintercitytrainsthatcangettoRhodeIslandastheexistingtunnelsareoftenatcapacity. Thosewhodoseetheneedforgoodtrainservicewillsurelyneedtobeactive. Contact Barry Schiller, a member of the State Planning Council’s Transportation Advisory Committee, at [email protected].
Best of Luck and Continued Success from the Drivers, Maintenance and
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Alliance counters U.S. House GOP leader’s attack on Social Security By John A. Pernorio
DiscussingthefutureofSocialSecurity,U.S.HouseMajorityLeaderEricCantor(R-Va.)toldaNationalPublicRadiointerviewer,“We’regoingtohavetocometogripswiththefactthattheseprogramscannotexistifwewantAmericatobewhatwewantAmericatobe.” RespondingtoCantorscommentsonatelephonepressconferencecall,AllianceforRetiredAmericansExecutiveDirectorEdwardF.Coylesaid,“EricCantorandothersaresayingthatSocialSecurityistoblameforourbudgetdeficit.That’spurefiction,andasleightofhandthatmakesnomentionoftaxcutsforthewealthyorbigcorporationslikeGE(GeneralElectric)thatpaynotaxes.It’stimetostopthelies.It’stimetostarttellingcurrentandfutureretireesthetruth.Thankyou,EricCantor.ThankyouformakingitcrystalclearjustwhattheRepublicanPartythinksofSocialSecurityandthemillionsofAmericanswhocountoniteachmonthtomakeendsmeet.” Alliancemembersfromaroundthecountryparticipatedinaday
organizedbytheSocialSecurityWorkscampaign.Theeffortproducedover6,000callsintoU.S.Senateoffices,urginglawmakerstonotcutSocialSecuritybenefitsforcurrentandfutureretireesasthechamberpreparestoconsiderlegislationonfederalspending. ThisisyetanotherreminderofhowdedicatedAllianceactivistsareinstandingupforSocialSecurity.Ourmembersdon’tjustcareaboutthemselves;theyworryabouttheirchildrenandgrandchildren. AlliancemembersjoinedactivistsfromAmericansUnitedforChange,SocialSecurityWorksandtheNationalCommitteetoPreserveSocialSecurityonCapitolHillatarallytosupportSocialSecurity.SenateMajorityLeaderHarryReid(D-Nev.)hostedtherally.Reid,whohasbeenalongtimesupporterofSocialSecurity,recognizedandthankedtheAllianceandreaffirmedhissupportfortheprogram,saying,“Whatirritatesmeiswehearpunditsandpoliticianstakethebaitthat’sbeenthrowntothembytheseRepublicansovertheselastfewdecades.Youthrowittothem
andtheygrabit.TheygrabitandclaimSocialSecurityisheadedforbankruptcy.Itisnot.” TheRhodeIslandcongressionaldelegationhasstronglysupportedtheAlliance’spositiononSocialSecurityandMedicare.U.S.Sen.SheldonWhitehouse(D-R.I.)hasstoodupontheSenatefloor,sponsoredandco-sponsoredlegislationtodefendSocialSecurityandMedicareforseniorcitizensandthedisabled.
No payday worries for CEOs Accordingto“TheWallStreetJournal,”bonusesforchiefexecutiveofficersat50majorcorporationsincreasedbyamedianof30.5percentinthepastyear,thebiggestgaininatleastthreeyears.Thelargestpharmaceuticalcompany,Pfizer,doubledthetotalcompensationofitsCEO,IanRead,despitethe19,000employeesthecompanyisexpectedtolayoff. WhileAmericansofallagescontinuetostruggletoputfoodonthetableandpaytheirbills,therehasneverbeenabettertimeorcountrytobetheCEOofabigcorporation.Thatmakestalkof
cuttingSocialSecurityorMedicareallthemoreoutrageous. John A. Pernorio is president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans. Contact him at (401) 722-2770 or [email protected].
DANIEL P. CLIFFORD RICHARD M. BROWN PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER
UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL
WORKERS UNION LOCAL 1459
REPRESENTING OVER 4,500 MEMBERS AND GROWING
33 EASTLAND STREET SPRINGFIELD, MA 01109 (800) 332-9699
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Page 12 Common Ground MAY 2011
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Health reform update: The Rhode Island Health Benefit ExchangeBy Elizabeth Roberts
TheRhodeIslandHealthBenefitExchange,anewonlinemarketplaceforcomparingandpurchasinghealthinsurance,isoneoftherequirementssetforthinthefederalAffordableCareAct(ACA)thatwillgreatlyimpactourstatefordecades. Theexchangehasbeenintheplanningstagestoensurethatwearereadytoimplementtheexchangeondeadlinein2014.LegislationtocreatetheexchangehaspassedintheSenateandisunderconsiderationintheHouse. Theexchangeallowspeoplenotcoveredthroughtheiremployerstopurchasehealthinsuranceatcompetitiverates.Smallbusinesseswillalsobeabletobuycoveragethroughtheexchange.Itwillofferachoiceofplans,establishcommonrulesregardingtheofferingandpricingofinsuranceandprovideinformationtohelpconsumersbetterunderstandtheoptionsavailabletothem.Forexample,theadultchildrenofunionmembersovertheageof26whoarenotcoveredelsewherewouldbeabletopurchasehealthinsurancethroughtheexchange. Ifstatesfailtodesigntheirownexchangesby
2014,thefederalgovernmentwillimplementanexchangeatthefederallevel.TheRhodeIslandHealthCareReformCommissionIchairhasaHealthInsuranceExchangeSubcommittee.ThatgrouphasbeenworkingincollaborationwiththeOfficeoftheHealthInsuranceCommissioner(OHIC),theExecutiveOfficeofHealthandHumanServicesandtheDepartmentofHealthinplanningforastate-basedhealthinsuranceexchange. RhodeIsland’sOHIChasappliedforandreceiveda$1millionfederalgranttocompleteadetailedstrategicplantocreateafinancially,self-sustainablemodelandbusinessplanfortheexchangebytheendof2011. InFebruary,aconsortiumofNewEnglandstates,includingRhodeIsland,receivedanEarlyInnovatorgrantofmorethan$35millioninordertohelpdesignandimplementtheinformationtechnologyinfrastructureforanexchange.RhodeIsland’sOHICrecentlyappliedforfundingfromafederalprogramtosupporttheestablishmentofstates’healthinsuranceexchange.Witharequestof$5.2
million,thestateaimstofundaplantoimproveinformationtechnologysystems,provideassistancetoindividualsandsmallbusinesses,supportcoreexchangefunctionsandassessprogrameffectiveness.Pendingthepassageofexchange-authorizinglegislationinRhodeIsland,theOHICwillapplyinthefallfortensofmillionsofdollarsinfundingtosupporttheimplementationoftheexchange. After2014,withacustom-builtexchangeupandrunning,allRhodeIslanderswhodon’tgetinsurancethroughtheiremployerandsomesmallbusinesseswillbeabletobuyeasy-to-understandhealthinsurance.Iftheplansforanexchangesucceed,RhodeIslanderswillhavegoodinformationuponwhichtobaseasimple“apples-to-apples”comparisonofthecoverageavailabletobuythroughtheexchangeWebsite. FormoreinformationontheexchangeortheHealthReformCommission,visitwww.ltgov.state.ri.us. Elizabeth Roberts is lieutenant governor of Rhode Island.
Support Cranston School Bus Drivers!
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MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 13
Nikko & Tigger Too Tigger Too and his brother, Nikko, are two of the friendliest cats in the shelter. Whenever a staff member or visitor walks into the shelter, they are the first to greet them and ask to be petted. Tigger Too is definitely a gentle giant. Don’t let the pictures fool you though, this is a big boy! It would be wonderful if Tigger Too and his brother could be adopted together, but it’s not a necessity. They both get along well with other cats and just seem to enjoy life. Please call Defenders of Animals at 401-461-1922 for details.
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.
The Officers and Members of IBEW, Local 103,Are Proud to Support The Common Ground!
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERSLOCAL 103 OF GREATER BOSTON
256 Freeport Street, Dorchester, MA 02122(617) 436-3710 (617) 436-3299 (Fax)
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AGENTS Martin E. Aikens William T. Corley Louis J. Antonellis James T. Fay Richard L. Antonellis James M. O’Connell Michael E. Calder Donald F. Sheehan
Gary W. Walker
John P. Dumas, President Michael J. Mulligan, Jr., Vice PresidentChuck Monahan, Financial Secretary
Jeffrey W. Cain, TreasurerRichard Monahan, Recording Secretary
EXECUTIVE BOARD EXAMINING BOARD Sean M. Callaghan Robert F. Bonanno, Jr. Kevin M. Monahan Michael P. Egan Robert Sheehan James J. Frasier Robert T. Spinale Thomas D. Leahy Raymond B. Vinton Jeff M. Sheehan Lee Vigil
Page 14 Common Ground MAY 2011
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The folly of zero tolerance policies – wherever they existBy Russell Irving
Whetherathome,school,orwork,zerotolerancepoliciesareneitherfairnoreffective.And,thereasonsshouldbeobvious.Butforthoseofyouwhoaren’tquitecertainofthatorwhowantsomeexamplestoshowthosewhodobelieveinthiscop-outmethodofdeliveringconsequences,herecomesomeexamples. Parentsoftenrelyonthezerotoleranceapproachsothattheirchildren,especiallyteenagers,willknownotonlywhatisexpectedofthembutwhatconsequencesspecificactionswillbring.Parentssomehowbelievethatthiswillquellanybacktalkfromtheiroffspring.Ah,thenaivetéofitall. Maryknowsthatsheistodrivestraighthomeafterschool.Ifshedoesn’tandhasnotfirstreceivedpermissiontodoso,thenshewilllosetheuseofthecarandcellphoneprivilegesforamonth. However,onthisfineday,herbestfriend,Maria,saysheryoungersistermissedthecitybusandwouldhavetowaitina‘not-so-hot’neighborhoodforanhourtocatchthenextbus.SoshebegsMaryforaridetogethersisterandtakethemhome.Mary’sfolksareatworkanddon’tlikebeingdisturbed.SobelievingthatsheisbeingaGoodSamaritan,Marydoesthedeed.Then,shearriveshome. So,doesshetellherfolkswhathappened,knowingthatshewilllosethecarandcellphone?Notif
sheislikemanyteens!Shewilllie;whetherovertlyorbyomission.And,ifshegetsawaywithit,shewillhaveexperiencedtherewardofbeingsneaky,andtheparentswillbedeprivedofknowingwhatagreatdeedshedid. Wouldn’tithavebeenbetterifMaryfeltshecouldspeakopenlywithherparents?And,iftherewastobeapunishment,thenitwouldfitheractionsandnotbeoverboardsimplybecause“arule’sarule.” Here’sarealexampleofzero-toleranceatitsridiculousbest.Anelementaryschoolstudentwalkingfromhomefindsasquirtgunonthegroundandpicksitup.Assoonashegetstohisclassroom,hegivestheunloadedsquirtguntohisteacher.Sheimmediatelythankshimandsimultaneouslybringshimtotheprincipal’soffice.Theprincipalcallsthepoliceandtellstheboy’sparentsthatsincehebroughtaweapontoschool,hemustbeexpelled.Expelled,mindyou,forvoluntarilyturninginanemptysquirtgunsimplybecausetheschoolsystemwastooafraidtomakecase-by-casedecisions,lestaparentcry‘foul’andthreatenalawsuit!Andtheschoolissupposedtoteachyoungfolkshowtomakedecisions?Andbelogical? OK,sohowaboutwork?Hereisanotherinstancewhere“‘theobvious”solutionisignored.Astorehasapolicyagainststealing,whichsoundsaboutright.Aman
whowascaughtstealingcashfromtheregisterisfired,butsowasthewomanwhotookhomeapenbecauseshewasstoppingbythepostofficetoremitabillandneededtoaddresstheenvelopethatwasinhercar. Iagreethatbothstolefromthecompany.ButsomehoworotherIcannotequatebothcrimestobeequalinnature.Byfiringthewomaninsteadofperhapstakingheroffthescheduleforadayordockingheranhour’spayandgivingherawarning,thebosshasinstilledanatmosphereoffearandresentmentinhisemployees.Suchanatmosphereisnotthemostconduciveforgreatstoremorale,wouldn’tyouagree? Whatofthecompanythathasapolicyofdockingunionmembersforbeingmorethanfiveminuteslate.ThesupervisorasksMosestodropoffapackagetothepostofficeonhiswaybackfromlunch.Unfortunately,Mosesunderestimatedthetrafficatthathoursohe’s15minuteslate.ThesupervisorthanksMosesontheonehandanddockshispaywiththeotherhand.Whatwasgainedbythisall-or-nothingpolicy? Finally,mostmarriageshavezero-tolerancepolicieseventhoughthespousesprobablydon’trecognizethemassuch.Takethe‘nolies’policy.Doesthewifereallywanttohearthatshe’sgainedweight?Shecancertainlytellthatallonherown.Forthehusband,
it’salose-losesituation. Onamoreseriousnote,ifahusbandbreakshisvowswithaone-nightstand,whichisabsolutelywrong,andlatertestspositiveforasexuallytransmitteddiseaseandknowshiswife’sstandthatanyadulterywillleadtoadivorceandlossofparentalvisitationwhatwillhelikelydo?Yougotit!Lieandhopethatshedoesn’tcatchanythingfromhim.Againsuchascenariosendsawrongmessage.Insuchacase,thehusbandshouldconfessandthenattempttoworkonhismarriageifheandhiswifesodesire. Thebottomlineisthatsuchpolicies,nomatterwheretheyareimplemented,seldomworkoutasplanned.Ifyouinsistonazero-tolerancepolicy,thenpleasedon’tmaketheconsequencethesameregardlessofthecircumstances.Otherwise,youwilllikelylosemorethanyouwillgain. ‘Nuffsaid! Russell Irving is the author of two acclaimed books: “Improve Your Marriage – Don’t Overlook the Obvious”) and “Teens! Improve Your Life – Don’t Overlook The Obvious.” They are available at www.DontOverlookTheObvious.com and www.TeensImproveYourLife.com, respectively. They also are available at Amazon.com and other book retailers. Russ is also available for speaking engagements and workshops. Reach him at [email protected].
MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 15
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Is it gravy or is it sauce?By Micheline Grossi Lombardi
How to make gravy Ingredients:1poundofItaliansausage(hotorsweet),apieceofporkand/orapieceofbeef.
3cans(2pounds,3ounces)ofItalianplumshapetomatoes.
2smallcansoftomatopaste.
Crushedfreshgarliccloves,basil,andparsley(freshordried).
Redpeppertotaste.
Redwineandwater.
Method:Inalargesaucepan,brownthesausage,porkandbeefinasmallamountofOliveoil.Theamountofoildependsonhowleanthesausageis.Keepturningthemeataroundtobrownitonallsidesandcrustyonthebottomofthepan.Addthegarlicandredpepper,andthendeglazethepanwitheitherredwineorwater,makingsureyougetallofthecrustymeatdrippingsloose.
Pureetheplumtomatoesinablenderwithfreshbasilandparsleyandaddtothepan,stirringtoincorporateallofthedrippings.Simmeroveralowflameuntilthetomatoesstarttochangetoadarkercolor,thenaddthetomatopastewithequalamountsofwaterandstir.Oncethepastehasdissolved,youcanaddthemeatballstothegravyandsimmeroveralowflameforseveralhours.Stirthegravyeverysooftentomakesureitdoesnotstick.
Micheline Grossi Lombardi is a member of the Rhode Island Probation & Parole Association. Contact him at [email protected].
GrowingupasasecondgenerationItalian,Ilearnedtocookbesidemygrandmotherandmotherinthetraditionalmannerofmakingmealsfromscratch.Iwouldcallmygrandmotheronthephoneandaskherhowtomakeadish.I’mreallynotsurehowIevermanagedtomaketherecipesastheycametomehalfinItalian,halfinEnglishandwithnomeasurements.Shewouldsay,“Addalittleofthisandalittleofthat,andyoumixituntilitfeelsright.”Iquicklylearnedwhenit“feltright,”whetheritwasmacaroni,meatballsorcookies. OnSundaymornings,mymotherwouldstartthegravyfortheafternoonmeal,macaroni.Tous,itwasalwaysmacaroniandneverpasta.Icanthinkofnothingbettertothantowakeuptothearomaofsausageandmeatbrowninginapan.Thenthescentofwine,garlicandspiceswouldbeaddedtothealreadytantalizingaromaasthegravysimmeredforhours.Igrewupinthedayswhenthebreadmandeliveredthehot
crustyloafofItalianbreadrighttothedoor.Whatatreattogettheheelofthebreadtotastethegravyandmaybehaveabiteofmeatball.Ourfamilytraditionwastoservemacaroniwithmeatballs,sausageandbraciolaforourSundaymeal. Nowtothequestionofwhetheritiscalledgravyorsauce.InaglossaryofItaliancookingterms,Sugoisasauceorgravybasedoncookedmeatwithathickener;anditisalsocalledragu.Ontheotherhand,tomatosauceisdescribedasaredsaucegenerallyflavoredwithgarlicandspiceswithoutathickener.Whetherit’ssauceorgravy,itisservedmostoftenoverpasta. Sowhenyoubrownsausage,pork,andbeef,deglazethepanforthosewonderfuldrippingstoflavorthetomatoes,addtomatopasteasathickenerandslowcookit,itisgravy.Whenwesautégarlic,spices,onionsthenaddtomatoesandquickcookitwithoutaddingathickener,wecallitsauce.
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Page 16 Common Ground MAY 2011
Rhode Island Brotherhoodof Correctional Officers
“Representing Those Who Work the Toughest Beat in the State”
-OFFICERS-
DaveMellon…….……….………………..President
BobMiller………….……………1stVicePresident
BobLantagne..…………………..2ndVicePresident
MichaelHogan.……………………..…….Treasurer
JohnMeehan………………………………Secretary
MikeMcKenna...……….……….FinancialSecretary
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KenRivard MannyLeander
BillBove AlanDepalo
JohnBray JeffGolding
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MarkVierra LetiziaSignore
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View past issues at www.commongroundnews.net.Rhode Island's only newspaper for unions, and about unions.
Massachusetts Teacher’s Association president responds to “Boston Globe” article on educator evaluation RespondingtoanarticleintheApril17“BostonSundayGlobe,”MassachusettsTeacherAssociation(MTA)PresidentPaulTonerreiteratedthattheMTAandtheEducatorEvaluationTaskForceagreethatmultiplemeasuresofstudentlearning,includingMassachusettsComprehensiveAssessmentSystem(MCAS)studentgrowthscoreswhereavailable,shouldbepartofeducators’evaluations,butthatnohigh-stakesdecisionsforteachersandadministratorsshouldbebasedonthoseoutcomesalone. The“Globe”article–headlinedRatingTeachersonMCASGrowth–focusedondraftevaluationregulationsthat
EducationCommissionerMitchellChestersenttotheMassachusettsBoardofElementaryandSecondaryEducation(MBESE)andsubsequentlyprovidedtothetaskforce,whichincludesrepresentativesoftheMTA. MTAattorneysandotherstaffmemberswillcloselyanalyzethedraftregulationsandcommentonthemduringthepubliccommentperiod,whichislikelytolastuntilshortlybeforetheJune28MBESEmeeting. Theleadparagraphofthe“Globe”articlestatesthatCommissionerChester’sregulationswould“makestudentMCASresultscentraltojudging”theperformanceofteachersand
administrators. Shortlyafterthearticlewaspublished,Chesterexpressedconcernabouthowtheissuewasreportedandreleasedhisownstatementseekingtoclarifyhisstance.Hisstatementbegins:“Boththeheadlineandinitialparagraphsoftoday’s“Globe”storydonotprovideanaccuratesummaryofmyrecommendationsastheyrelatetotheuseofstudentperformancemeasures.Ihaveproposedthatstudentlearningbecentraltotheevaluationanddevelopmentofthecommonwealth’seducators.Myrecommendationsrequirethatforeverygradeandsubject,atleasttwomeasuresofstudentlearninggainsbeemployed.” The“Globe”articlealsostatesthattheMTA“supportsusingMCASandothertestingdatainevaluations.”Tonersaidthattheorganization’sposition,detailedinareporttitledReinventingEducatorEvaluation,isthatmultiplemeasuresofstudentlearningoutcomes,notjusttestscores,mayinformaneducator’sevaluationbutnotdetermineit. “Wehavesaidfromthestartthattheobservationofeducatorsatworkandhumanjudgmentmuststillbethecentralcomponentsofaneducatorevaluationsystem,astheyareforvirtuallyallprofessionals,”Tonersaid.“Wehavealsosaidfromthestartthatstudentlearningoutcomesattheclassroom,districtandstatelevelsshouldalsobereviewedandconsideredintheevaluationprocessbecauseattheendofthedayourmainjobasteachersandadministratorsistoimprovestudentlearning.However,weand90percentoftheothertaskforcemembersarealsoclearthatthereisnosinglemeasure,includingMCAS,thatfully,fairlyandaccuratelyidentifiestheeffectivenessofanyindividualteacher.Thosemeasuresareallpronetoerror.Therefore,whiletheyshouldbeconsidered,theymustnotsupersedeevaluator
judgment.” ToneralsostatedonceagainthatMCASgrowthscoresmustneverbe“central”toacomprehensiveteacherevaluationbecausethosescorescanbecomputedforonlyanestimated16percentofallteachers.ThevastmajorityofeducatorsteachgradesorsubjectsforwhichnoMCASgrowthscoresexist.ForthoseforwhomMCASgrowthscorescanbecalculated,hesaid,“MCASshouldnottrumpothermeasuresoflearning,justasnomeasuresofstudentlearningshouldtrumpevaluatorjudgment. “Thereisnearuniversalagreementthattheevaluationsystemmustbechanged,”Tonercontinued.“Ourrecommendationsonwhatchangestomakewereembracedbyamajorityoftaskforcemembers.AsmallnumberofbusinessrepresentativesonthetaskforcewantedMCAStoaccountfor50percentofateacher’sevaluation.Thetaskforcesoundlyrejectedusingthatoranyotherspecificpercentage.Ourcommentsontheregulationswillreflectourconsistentposition:Considerstudentlearning,butrejectanyplanthatwouldgivetoomuchweighttotestscoressincetherearemanyfactorsbeyondteachereffectivenessthatdeterminethosescores.” ThefollowingistheremainderofCommissionerChester’sstatementinresponsetothe“Globe”article: “AtthegradesandsubjectswhereMCASgrowthmeasuresareavailable,theymustbeoneofthemeasures–butcannotbethesolemeasure.Further,Ihavenotspecifiedthemannerbywhichthemultiplemeasuresofstudentlearningaretobecombined.Eachdistrictwilldevelopanddocumentthemannerbywhichtheywillutilizethemultiplestudentlearningmeasurestodeterminewhetherstudentsaremakingatleastayear’s,lessthanayear’sormorethanayear’sgain.”
MAY 2011 Common Ground Page 17
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Claudia Porrazzo David GarzoneRecording Secretary Executive Board Member
Dominick J. Ruggerio Gina M. Sabitoni-ArakelianSecretary-Treasurer Executive Board Member
Injustice servedBy E.J. Finocchio
WhenitcomestoenforcinganimalcrueltylawsinthestateofRhodeIsland,thedecisionmadeinthe6thDistrictCourtonMarch24demonstratesthatthecourtsdonottakecasesofanimalcrueltyseriously. Thisisanominousedictconsideringthereisadirectcorrelationbetweenanimalabuseanddomesticviolence.StatisticscompiledbytheNationalCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolenceareverydisturbingandvalidatetheconnection.Whenanimalsareabused,thecourtshouldrecognizethatpeopleareatrisk. ThecaseofIcabod,an
11-month-oldlabmixthatwasnearlystarvedtodeathbyhisownerhasmotivatedhundredsofpeopleinourstatetoexpresstheirenragementoverthecourt’sdecision.IcabodwasconfiscatedfromhisownerinDecemberaftertheRhodeIslandSocietyforthePreventofCrueltytoAnimals(RISPCA)receivedatipregardinganextremelyemaciateddoglivingatanapartmentinProvidenceandtransportedtotheRISPCA. WhenhearrivedattheRISPCAshelter,hewasneardeath,weighingamere22pounds,severelyanemic,dehydrated,emaciatedandsufferingfromdemodectic
mange,whichcausedpatchesofhisfurtofalloff.Itwasanobviouscaseoffailuretoprovideadequatecare,medicalattentionfood,andwatertothispooranimal.Duetohisowner’sblatantfailuretoprovidehimwithadequatenutrition,Icabodresortedtoeatinggarbage,blankets,clothing,plasticandotherhouseholditemsinanattempttosurvive-hewasoneofthemostemaciateddogswehaveencounteredattheshelter. IcabodconvalescedattheRISPCAforthreeweeks,gainingbackhisstrengthandweightandwasplacedinafosterhomeforfiveweeks.Oncefullyrecovered,he
returnedtotheshelterweighinginat62poundsandwasputupforadoption.HewasadoptedinFebruarybyalovingfamilyanddespitewhathehadbeenthrough;Icabodisadjustingwellinhisnewhome. OnMarch24,Icabod’sowner,NicoleSymonds,whowasrepresentedbyapublicdefender,appearedinProvidence’s6thDistrictCourtononecountofmistreatinganimalsandonecountofunnecessarycrueltytoanimals.TheRISPCAandtheProvidencePoliceDepartmentpresentedthecourtandJeffreyPadwa,thecityContinued on page 19
Page 18 Common Ground MAY 2011
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Continued from page 17solicitorprosecutingthecase,withaverydetailedmulti-pagereportincludingtheRISPCA’sanimalcrueltyinvestigator’sreport,aveterinarian’sfindings,laboratoryreports,picturesoftheforeignmaterialIcabodhadingested,thedefendant’sstatementandsomeverygraphicphotographsofIcabod’sfrailandemaciatedbody. AstotheinformationPadwapresentedtoJudgeAnthonyCapraro,thereismuchtobedesiredbasedonourpresenceinthecourtandreviewoftheaudioofthecasethatlastedamerefourandhalfminutes.JudgeCapraroaskedPadwawhatthechargewas,andhesimplystatedthatSymondsneglectedherdoguntilitwaseatinghouseholditems.JudgeCapraroaskedPawdaifthedogwasaliveordead,andPadwarespondedthattherecorddidnotindicatethatinformation.Padwadidagreatinjusticeinspeakingforthosewhocannotspeakforthemselvesinhispresentationofthecase. JudgeCapraroacceptedPadwa’spenaltyrecommendationandSymonds’snolocontenderepleatomistreatinganimals.ThejudgeaskedthatSymondsmakea$50contributiontotheViolentCrimeIndemnityFund,filedthecaseforoneyear,waivedthecourtcostsanddismissedtheanimalcrueltycharge.Empiricallyspeaking,wedonotfeelthatjusticewasservedandthatthepenaltyimposeddoesnotfitthecrime. WearedeeplyconcernedabouttheprecedentsetbyJudgeCapraro’sruling.ThedisappointingdecisionsetsabadprecedentandunderminesthehardworkdonebytheRISPCA,animalcontrolofficers,policedepartments,andotherhumaneorganizationsthroughoutthestate.Thedecisionalsoweighsheavilyonallconcernedcitizensinourstatewhohaveexpressedtheirscornovertheruling. Everyoneisconcernedwheretheprocesswent
astray.WhatinformationdidPadwapresentandnotpresenttoJudgeCapraroforhimtoimposesuchalenientpunishment?Wasthecasetakenseriously?Doesone’ssocialoreconomicpositioninoursocietytipthescalesofjustice?Isittruethedefendanthastworelativeswhoareemployedbythecourtsystem?Whydidn’tPadwahavethecourtesytoengagetheRISPCAinformulatinganacceptablepunishment?Thosearequestionswewouldalllikeanswersto,andtodenyustheanswerswouldbeanotherinjustice. Unfortunately,casessuchasIcabod’sarenotrare.TheanimalcrueltyinvestigatorattheRISPCAreceivesthousandsofcomplaintsonanimalcrueltyeachyearandgoesoncountlessinvestigations.Everyyear,weencounterseveralcasesasappallingasIcabod’srighthereinRhodeIsland.Timeaftertime,despitethetirelesseffortsofmanydedicatedindividuals,itisouropinionthatthosecasesbreakdownwhentheyarriveinthecourts. Theleniencyofthecourtsattitudetowardanimalcrueltycasesisexemplifiedbythefactthatoverthepastdecade,onlyahandfulofpeoplehavebeenconvictedofanimalcrueltyinourstate.Theharshrealityisthatdespiteman’shumanity,impertinence,insensitivityandcrueltyarestillpartofhisbeingandunfortunately,weareremindedofthosetransgressionstoooften.Thosetribulationsshouldbeovercomebythepowerfulforcesofthelawwhenenforced,butpowerwithoutempathyisperilousandpowerwithoutaccountabilityisuseless.Societybenefitsthemostwhenthoseinpowerusethatpowertoprotectthemostdefenselessinourmidst,includingallcreaturesgreatandsmall. Thosewhoabuseanimalsmustbeheldaccountablefortheirinexcusableactions.Ifwecontinuetotreatcasesofanimalcrueltyasminoroffensesandgivetheperpetratorsamereslap
onthewrist,wewillcontinuetoseetheabuseofdefenselessanimalsinourstateandsendavalidationtothosewhopreyontheweakestinoursociety. AllofushereattheRISPCAandoursupportersareextremelydisappointedwiththeoutcomeoftheSymondscase.However,wewillneverabandonourmissioninspeakingforthosewhocannotspeakforthemselves. E.J. Finocchio is president of the RISPCA.
Icabod when he arrived
Icabod now
Page 20 Common Ground MAY 2011
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