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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 Page 1 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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Page 2 Common Ground JULY 2011
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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 Page 3
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.
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 5
ARTHUR A. COIA
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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.
Page 6 Common Ground JULY 2011
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COX CHANNEL 14 VERIZON FIOS CHANNEL 33
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
T: 401-233-9840C: 401-529-9690F: 401-233-0824
Building / Masonry ContractorRIBA / RICRB Lic. #34
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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.
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 7
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.
Page 8 Common Ground JULY 2011
AFSCME Local 2881
Representing RIDEM and CRMC
www.local2881.org
STEPHEN ROYPOWER EQUIPMENT
SNOWBLOWERS CHAINSAWS LEAF BLOWERS LAWN MOWERS RIDING TRACTORS LINE TRIMMERS
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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
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 9
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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
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Page 10 Common Ground JULY 2011
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
www.ualocal51.com
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
SChooL BUS DiviSioNS
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JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 11
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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
www.Go60MPG.org
Page 12 Common Ground JULY 2011
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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.
Page 14 Common Ground JULY 2011
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
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 15
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LOCAL 400International Federation of
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A progressive labor union representing more than80,000 men and women in professional, technical,
administrative and associated occupations.
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(401)946-9940/946-3710Fax:(401)946-5060
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Phil FogartyPresident
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Office: (401) 738-8007Cell: (401) 932-3642Fax: (401) 738-1180
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Page 16 Common Ground JULY 2011
Rhode Island Brotherhoodof Correctional Officers
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DaveMellon…….……….………………..President
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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.
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 17
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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Page 18 Common Ground JULY 2011
rhode island Carpenterslocal union 94
David F. palmiscianopresident
Thomas J. savoieVice president
William F. HolmesFinancial secretary
W. paul landertrustee
14 Jefferson park road
Warwick, ri 02888
401.467.7070
Compliments of
International Union ofOperating Engineers
LOCAL UNION 57Providence, Rhode Island
James J. WhiteBusiness Manager and President
Timothy E. QuillenVice President and Bus. Agent
Gregory E. OlsonTreasurer and Bus. Agent
DANIEL P. CLIFFORD RICHARD M. BROWN PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER
UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL
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REPRESENTING OVER 4,500 MEMBERS AND GROWING
33 EASTLAND STREET SPRINGFIELD, MA 01109 (800) 332-9699
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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.
JULY 2011 Common Ground Page 19
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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
Page 20 Common Ground JULY 2011
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
LUXURY
View our entire inventory online at...
www.VillageRI.com
Exclusive offer for union members only!
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
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