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Rhode Island
Rhode Island T.F. Green warns employees not to destroy records as labor dispute continues • Rhode Island Current
Roughly a dozen employees at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport have been warned not to destroy records over what the airport’s legal team has described as “tortious interference” with business operations.
Tortious interference is the legal term for intentionally damaging someone else’s contractual or business relationships with others, causing economic harm.
Letters sent out Wednesday by Providence attorney Michael DeSisto claimed some workers sent anonymous derogatory correspondence about the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) to regulatory agencies, airlines, and cargo partners with the intent to interfere with airport operations.
“These actions caused RIAC reputational harm and triggered Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) involvement which required RIAC to activate its federally regulated continuity of operations plan,” DeSisto wrote.
DeSisto demanded workers not to remove paper records unless necessary to preserve them. His letter notes that electronic correspondence such as emails, voicemail, WhatsApp messages, and even floppy disks should also be retained.
Recipients were both current and former employees as well as union members and nonunion members, according to a statement issued by RIAC Thursday.
In early October, RIAC announced it had retained DeSisto’s firm after learning airlines received anonymous letters claiming the airport had a toxic work environment — including one sent to airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration claiming the airport would be closed Aug. 13 due to an employee walkout. No walkout ever happened.
The anonymous letters threatening the walkout came as airport and union leadership negotiated a new three-year contract contract after the most recent one expired in June. A tentative agreement reached between airport executives and union leaders in September was rejected by rank-and-file members. Management and union negotiators are scheduled to meet sometime next week, RIAC spokesperson Bill Fischer said Friday.
RIAC Chief of Staff Brittany Morgan previously told Rhode Island Current that the threat of a walkout cost the airport “hundreds of thousands” of dollars to comply with federal mandates to line up outside contractors to cover union positions if necessary.
“It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but this investigation is required to ensure that individuals – regardless of their motivations — will not impact our ability to fulfill our mission, provide Rhode Islanders with an abundance of direct routes, fulfill obligations to our airline partners and serve as a true economic engine for the State of Rhode Island,” Morgan said in a statement issued Thursday.
The investigation by RIAC into the letters is one of many bumps added to the turbulent relationship between employees and management.
Airport officials on Oct. 29 fired Steven Parent, a lieutenant in T.F. Green’s fire department since 2013. Parent in 2019 became president of Local 2873 of RI Council 94 for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — which represents roughly 120 employees.
RIAC claimed he “knowingly and willfully engaged in efforts to sabotage airport operations” by discouraging people from applying for jobs at the airport and taking in overtime pay covering for the vacant positions — allegations that were also highlighted in DeSisto’s letter.
Jim Cenerini, legislative affairs/political action coordinator at Rhode Island Council 94 AFSCME said the union is pursuing all contractual and legal avenues to defend its members in response to the notices sent by DeSisto.
“The union will not be coerced, intimidated, or bullied by dictatorial tactics,” Cenerini said in an emailed statement Friday.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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The Rhode Island Department of Health issued an overdose spike alert for Johnston and North Providence.
Health officials said over the past week, five Johnston and North Providence residents received medical care for a drug overdose.
According to RIDOH, these municipalities have historically lower overdose rates than the statewide average.
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Residents can visit Prevent Overdose RI connect with community harm reduction organizations and find treatment.
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