Labor

An Association of Associates

By Justin Katz | October 12, 2009 |

I’ve procured a copy of the proposed change in the Ethics Commission’s general advisory pertaining to union members’ voting, as elected officials, on contracts and such that affect other locals of their unions (PDF). There’s nothing in it that will surprise those who’ve been following along, and frankly, with the exception of replacing “adequate” with…

What Governs a Town?

By Justin Katz | October 10, 2009 |

That layoffs of police in East Providence are “the first in years” in Rhode Island is surprising, but not particularly noteworthy. In fact, we should hope that organizations — whether companies or municipalities — will operate in such a way as to ensure consistent, long-term employment. It’s difficult, however, not to see some sort of…

The Williams Story and a Different Caste

By Justin Katz | October 10, 2009 |

The story of former RI Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams’s second family is certainly worthy of the adjectives that have thus far been used to describe it — “odd,” “creepy,” and so on. With or without further details, though, it’s essentially a window into another world in which such creatures thrive, and in which…

A Little Less Tilt on the Union Playing Field

By Justin Katz | October 8, 2009 |

Perhaps there is hope that the winds are changing (too slowly, of course) in Providence Journal reporter Steve Peoples’ story on the RI Ethics Commission’s movement toward a decision that would expand the prohibitions against union members’ participation, as public officials, in matters pertaining to other locals under the same umbrella organizations. A 2008 advisory…

Re: Solidarity in Kicking the Blind Veteran into the Street

By Monique Chartier | October 2, 2009 |

Justin says Think of the thoroughness of the union mentality (or dementality) necessary for no union members, of several occupations, to see the immorality of preventing disabled veterans from reaching the hospital or to take pains to minimize the effects of their “action.” Indeed, a mentality is at fault here but it is important to…

Solidarity in Kicking the Blind Veteran into the Street

By Justin Katz | October 1, 2009 |

Somehow I missed the story from last week that Joe Bernstein raises in the comments to the previous post. The Providence Journal story appears to have run on Saturday: On Monday and Tuesday morning, [blind veteran Michael] Graichen said Friday, the bus driver explained there was a picket line [at the VA Hospital] he wasn’t…

The Never-Ending Union Contract

By Justin Katz | October 1, 2009 |

Marc confessed, on last night’s Matt Allen Show, that he’s tempted to forsake all and join a union, arguing that they’re impervious: as individuals, union members get away with everything, and as bodies, their contracts can’t be allowed to expire. Stream by clicking here, or download it.

RE: Warwick Crossing Guards – Contracts are Forever

By Marc Comtois | September 30, 2009 |

The Board, therefore, finds that the Employer has engaged in unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain in good faith and by unilateral implementation of terms and conditions of employment, and by failing to participate in statutory dispute resolution procedures. Thus has the RI State Labor Relations Board rendered its decision to reinstate the prior…

RI Labor Relations Board: Tie goes to the Warwick Crossing Guard Union

By Marc Comtois | September 29, 2009 |

As the ProJo is reporting the State Labor Relations Board has found in favor of the Warwick Crossing Guard union, 1 1/2 years after it appealed the City’s decision to make the position non-union (and non-benefit). Labor won with a 3-3 tie, with Chairman Walter J. Lanni (Representing Management), Frank Montanaro and John Copabianco (both…

Is Walsh Pumping up Supporters or Simply Stating Fact?

By Justin Katz | September 29, 2009 |

Hopefully, Bob Walsh is merely trying to manufacture a self-fulfilling prophecy, here: “We are preparing, if there is a session in October, to be present and strongly advocating for binding arbitration,” says Walsh, executive director of the National Education Association of Rhode Island. And, “we are fairly comfortable we have the commitments we need to…