Unions

Three-hundred and ninety-nine nurses and union members picketed outside the Dudley Street entrance of Women & Infants Hospital on April 11, calling on the Providence hospital to lift its hiring freeze and fill vacant positions with permanent, local workers instead of hiring temporary, subcontracted “traveler” nurses. Apr 21

Rhode Island has the 6th highest percentage of union workers in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Mar 22

Programs at Seven Hills Rhode Island have been moved into crowded buildings already short on space. There’s less continuity for clients with staff members, many of whom have concerns about job security following layoffs. Mar 17

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee Thursday unveiled a package of bills aimed to help Rhode Island’s struggling cities and towns that includes legislation allowing communities to suspend cost-of-living pension increases for retirees on independent municipal retirement plans. Mar 15

Labor can celebrate a victory over management after a R.I. Supreme Court decision last month preserved the 50-year tradition of using union reps, rather than licensed attorneys, to argue labor-arbitration cases. Had the court ruled differently, all of Rhode Island’s labor unions, both public and private, might have been required to hire attorneys to argue arbitration cases, potentially adding thousands of dollars to the cost of such labor disputes. Mar 11

Financially strapped communities and states across the country are setting up legal fights with retirees by seeking to take back or alter previously negotiated benefits. Mar 11

PAWTUCKET – Mayor Donald R. Grebien last week announced creation of a panel that will focus on the city’s underfunded pension plans and attendant health-benefits compensation for retired city workers. Mar 3

PROVIDENCE – A permanent joint commission will examine the possibility of municipalities and school districts further sharing services. Mar 3

Fellowship Health Resources Inc., a nonprofit mental health and substance abuse treatment agency, said Tuesday that the union trying to organize its employees has withdrawn its petition with the National Labor Relations Board. Feb 29

Fellowship Health Resources Inc., a nonprofit mental health and substance abuse treatment agency, said Wednesday it filed an unfair labor practice charge against a Massachusetts union. Feb 22