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R.I. reaches tentative 3-year contracts providing raises of 5%, 4%, 3% to state employees – The Boston Globe

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R.I. reaches tentative 3-year contracts providing raises of 5%, 4%, 3% to state employees – The Boston Globe


PROVIDENCE — Governor Daniel J. McKee’s administration has reached tentative three-year contracts with state employee unions that would provide raises of 5 percent this year, 4 percent next year, and 3 percent the following year.

Final approval of the tentative agreements is subject to ratification by the membership of Rhode Island Council 94 (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) and the Coalition, a group of labor organizations representing other state employees.

The administration and the unions made the announcement Friday, saying the contracts would boost wages while providing millions of dollars in potential savings in health care.

“Amid a labor shortage in key areas and inflation, we must remain competitive with both the public and private sector as we continue to find new and better ways to deliver services to Rhode Islanders,” McKee said. “These agreements strike a fair balance to help support our critical workforce, to address rising prescription and medical costs, and to standardize our operations.”

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Council 94 State Vice President Michael McDonald said, “This tentative agreement provides our members with fair and equitable raises and ensures the continued provision of high-quality state services that the citizens of Rhode Island demand and deserve.”

The 5 percent raise would take effect as of July 1 of this year. The 4 percent raise would take effect on July 1, 2025. And the 3 percent raise would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The contracts would include a prescription drug cost-management program for certain specialty drugs, which could save the state up to $3.3 million while also saving money on out-of-pocket costs for state workers, according to Friday’s announcement from the state and unions.

And the contracts would include “virtual musculoskeletal program” that offers personalized care for workers with joint and muscle pain, saving the state up to $1.2 million, according to the joint announcement Friday.

The agreements offer more overall vacation days for employees who have been working for the state for less than 10 years. And they standardize language across contracts in advance of the state launching its new system for human resources, payroll and finance in 2025.

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“The Department of Administration is pleased to have reached tentative agreements with our labor partners that reflect our commitment to our employees as well as government efficiency,” Director of Administration Jonathan Womer said. “We have a lot of exciting projects in the works, but the upcoming launch of our new human resources, payroll and finance system is our most important one right now.”

Carly Iafrate, one of the Coalition negotiators, said state employees deserve fair wage increases amid significant changes in working conditions and inflation. “We are extremely pleased we were able to reach a fair agreement with the State and to do so efficiently,” she said. “We look forward to the ratification process with our members.”

Council 94, Rhode Island’s largest public employee union, represents approximately 4,000 active state employees.

The Coalition is a group of individual bargaining units who have agreed to bargain with the state on areas of common interest, including the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the professional unit of the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers, several local units of the Service Employees’ International Union, several local units of the National Education Association, the R.I. Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, the United Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, the National Association of Government Employees, and the Rhode Island Probation and Parole Association.


Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.





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Ranking Rhode Island’s Most Popular Charity License Plates – Rhode Island Monthly

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Ranking Rhode Island’s Most Popular Charity License Plates – Rhode Island Monthly


When it comes to expressing ourselves, Rhode Islanders have elevated license plates to an art form. You might not be able to get a new vanity plate — the state suspended applications in 2021 after a judge ruled a Tesla owner could keep his FKGAS plates — but you can still express your Rhody pride with one of seventeen state-approved charity plates. The program has funded ocean research, thrown parades, saved crumbling lighthouses and even provided meals for residents. About half of the $43.50 surcharge goes to the associated charity, while the other half covers the production cost.

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License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Atlantic Shark Institute

Year first approved: 2022

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Plates currently on road: 7,007

Total raised: $269,530

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Plum Lighthouse

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse

Year first approved: 2009

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Plates currently on road: 5,024

Total raised: $336,890

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Wildlife

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island

Year first approved: 2013

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Plates currently on road: 2,102

Funds raised: $32,080

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Rocky Point 1

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rocky Point Foundation

Year first approved: 2016

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Plates currently on road: 1,616

Funds raised: $50,450

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Food Bank

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Year first approved: 2002

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Plates currently on road: 765

Funds raised since 2021: $11,060*

*Prior to 2021, customers ordered plates directly through the food bank, and total revenue numbers are not available.

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Patriots

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

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New England Patriots Charitable Foundation

Year first approved: 2009

Plates currently on road: 1,472

Funds raised: $136,740

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Conservation

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

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Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Save the Bay

Year first approved: 2006

Plates currently on road: 1,132

Funds raised: $61,380 for each organization (proceeds split evenly)

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Bruins 1

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Boston Bruins Foundation

Year first approved: 2014

Plates currently on road: 1,125

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Funds raised: $36,880

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Beavertail

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association

Year first approved: 2023

Plates currently on road: 1,105

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Funds raised: $37,610

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Fourth Of July

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Bristol Fourth of July Committee

Year first approved: 2011

Plates currently on road: 1,104

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Funds raised: $17,640

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Red Sox

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Red Sox Foundation

Year first approved: 2011

Plates currently on road: 860

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Funds raised: $88,620

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Gloria Gemma

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation

Year first approved: 2012

Plates currently on road: 1,510

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Funds raised: $33,360

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Pc Friars

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Providence College Angel Fund

Year first approved: 2016

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Plates currently on road: 693

Funds raised: $23,220

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Rose Island

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust

Year first approved: 2022

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Plates currently on road: 383

Funds raised: $10,640

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Ponham Lighthouse

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

Year first approved: 2022

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Plates currently on road: 257

Funds raised: $7,580

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Portugal

License plate images courtesy of the Rhode island division of motor vehicles.

Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI Inc.

Year first APPROVED: 2018

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Plates currently on road: 132

Funds raised: $3,190





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Rhode Island AG to unveil long-awaited report on Diocese of Providence clergy abuse

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Rhode Island AG to unveil long-awaited report on Diocese of Providence clergy abuse


PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha will release on Wednesday findings from a multiyear investigation into child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

According to the attorney general’s office, the report will detail the diocese’s handling of clergy abuse over decades.

While the smallest state in the U.S., Rhode Island is home to the country’s largest Catholic population per capita, with nearly 40% of the state identifying as Catholic, according to the Pew Research Center.

Neronha first launched the investigation in 2019, nearly a year after a Pennsylvania grand jury report found more than 1,000 children had been abused by an estimated 300 priests in that state since the 1940s. The 2018 report is considered one of the broadest inquiries into child sexual abuse in U.S. history.

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Neronha’s investigation involved entering into an agreement with the Diocese of Providence to gain access to all complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy dating back to 1950. Neronha’s office said in 2019 that the goal of the report was to determine how the diocese responded to past reports of child sexual abuse, identify any prosecutable cases, and ensure that no credibly accused clergy were in active ministry.

Rhode Island State Police also helped with the investigation.



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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island


Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.

The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.

The Providence parade is March 21.

We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

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Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:





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