Connect with us

Rhode Island

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

Published

on

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.





Source link

Advertisement

Rhode Island

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

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

Published

on

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!

Advertisement

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





Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

Published

on

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


Local News

The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

Advertisement

The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

Advertisement

Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

Sign up for the Today newsletter

Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending