Posted by Lou on January 17, 2012
Happy New Year from the Executive Board of Local 2881! And it’s time to get back to work!
First, a reminder about our general membership meeting this Thursday, January 19. It will be held in the 3rd floor cafeteria at 235 Promenade St., Providence. The agenda includes the 2012 Local 2881 budget, and the DEM Director, Janet Coit will be attending. If you would like a copy of the draft proposed budget, please see an executive board member.
Also, the Council 94 Next Wave Committee is meeting on Monday, January 23, 5pm at Council 94 offices at 1179 Charles St., North Providence. It would be great if some new, young, or never-before-involved union members would attend to help us plan for the future of the labor movement.
Posted by Lou on December 19, 2011
Hello again, brothers and sisters! I hope you all had as good a time at the holiday party as we did! Thanks to everyone who came and made the event a success. And now I have two updates for you.
First, Council 94 has sent along the following note and a summary of the changes to the pension program:
Hello All-
As you know the pension law changes are numerous and in many cases, confusing. The General Assembly has created a webpage that contains some important information. The website is:
http://www.pensionreformri.com/
The website contains the entire law, “retirement age” calculator, and an executive summary. The “executive summary” represents what the General Assembly believes the law outlines. Of course, this is all subject to change once the retirement board gets a hold of it.
In the meantime, Council 94 has prepared a shortened easier-to-read version of the executive summary prepared by the general assembly. [Ed. note - you can view/download it here.]
Additionally, we will be requesting the retirement board and its staff to make several presentations around the state regarding the new changes to the system.
You should also know that the legal team assembled by Council 94 and other public employee unions are strategizing and planning legal challenges to this new law.
Finally, the Local 2881 budget for 2012 has been drafted. It will be discussed and voted on during our January 19, 2012 meeting. Please make every effort to attend the meeting. If you would like to review the budget prior to the meeting, please see Lou Maccarone for a copy. Electronic copies will not be made available.
Posted by Lou on December 2, 2011
- The new executive board has been sworn in, as everyone ran unopposed. See the list at our Local 2881 Executive Board page.
- Unfortunately, the pension reform legislation backed by Treasurer Raimondo and Governor Chafee passed. Council 94, as part of the RI Retirement Security Coalition, plans to filed a lawsuit claiming these changes a violation of contract.
- I received a message from Council 94 Executive Director Ken DeLorenzo this morning:
Hello All-
As I am sure you are all aware, the business backed group- EngageRI- led the charge in the recent pension “reform”.
Council 94 is putting together as much information about the Board of Directors and members of EngageRI to distribute to everyone as part of a campaign to save Rhode Islands’ middle class.
I have been informed that the state is kicking off its annual State Employee Charitable Appeal (“SECA”). Please note that there is at least two non-profit organizations who are seeking state employee money who were also members of EngageRI:
Crossroads Rhode Island and Family Service Rhode Island. Both of these non-profits leaders- Ann Nolan of Crossroads and Margaret Holland McDuff of Family Services- sit on the Board of Directors of EngageRI.
Meaning, any prior contributions to these organizations could be directly traced to a campaign to cut state employee pensions. And since it does not appear that EngageRI is going away anytime soon, any future contributions to these two organizations will continue to be used to support EngageRI
Please alert your membership to this fact and educate them as to the importance of supporting those businesses and non-profits that support us, and obviously, avoiding support of groups that seek to injure public employees interests.
So please be mindful when making your contributions to SECA.
- Finally, with all the bad news that we’ve been saddled with lately, it’s time to celebrate the Holiday season with our union brothers and sisters. Next Wednesday, December 14 is the date of our Local 2881 Holiday party. It will be held at the Kelley Gazzero VFW Post, 1418 Plainfield Street in Cranston, starting at 4:30pm. There will be food, music, and lots of fun, just as in years past. Tickets are $10, but that $10 will be returned to you at the door. Please keep in mind that this event is members only. Tickets can be purchased from Carmino, Joe Antonio, Lou, Leslie or Greg.
Posted by Lou on November 16, 2011
I just received an e-mail from Council 94:
Dear brothers and sisters,
The proposed pension legislation will be debated and voted on by the House and Senate tomorrow.
The proposed legislation has some minor adjustments, but still has draconian cuts for all of Council 94′s state and municipal members in the ERSRI system.
Council 94 is aggressively seeking amendments to mitigate some of the harm that the pension changes would incur.
A few examples of requested amendments include:
Pension savings must be dedicated to strengthening the appropriate retirement system.
Public Safety state employees’ retirement benefits parity.
Increase MERS retirement age and employee pension contribution increase with no other changes.
Council 94 is also working on a package of amendments with the RI Retirement Security Coalition.
All members are encouraged to attend the floor debate and votes this Thursday, November 17th. The House will start at 2:00 P.M. The Senate will start at 4:00 P.M.
Please click here for flyer with more details.
Two Actions to Fight Back
1. Call your State Representative and Senator Today! Tell them to slow down, and do these pension changes correctly instead of rushing a bad bill through tomorrow. If you are not sure who represents you at the RI state house, please click here.
2. Come to the State House for the bill’s floor Debate and votes on Thursday, November 17th. The House will start at 2:00 P.M. The Senate will start at 4:00 P.M.
Let’s keep the pressure on the politicians who are rushing through changes that will harm our retirement security!
In solidarity,
J. Michael Downey, President
Posted by Lou on November 15, 2011
To all Local 2881 Members:
Please be advised that due to the vote this Thursday at the State House with regards to the pension issue, we have decided to reschedule our General Membership from this Thursday the 17th to the week after Thanksgiving (date to be decided shortly). Council 94 would like to afford the opportunity for any members that can make it to State House this Thursday to attend (see below).
In Solidarity,
Joe Antonio, Vice-President
Local 2881
The Pension vote has been scheduled:
Thursday November 17, 2011
The House meets at 2 pm
The Senate meets at 4 pm
Every available member is encouraged to come to the State House on Thursday and talk to their reps and senators- let them know the Treasurer’s proposal is unfair and hurts the middle class of Rhode Island.
There are amendments proposed that can soften the blow of this pension reform, and we need support.
Please make every effort to attend, and encourage members to attend as well.
Thank you.
In Solidarity,
Ken DeLorenzo
Executive Director
RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
1179 Charles Street
North Providence, RI 02904
Telephone – 401-724-5900
Please make every effort to come to the State House as a show of strength in opposition to the proposed pension changes!
