Labor & Workers
Labor unions, workers' rights, and employment
Blackstone Valley Community Health Center strike averted
In a new feature at Uprise RI comic artist Maddie King writes, "...by posing to exercise their right to strike, the 1199 didn't have to do so..."
"These living conditions are deplorable": Block Island worker calls for livable housing, safe working conditions, and time off for summer staff
"We were at the bottom pretty much. We were in this shack that was probably one of the most deplorable places I've ever lived in my life. It was just two beds in a room. It was just this nasty wood floor. There were bugs everywhere... The housing conditions are some of the worst conditions I think I've ever lived in."
DHL workers in Pawtucket striking for livable wages and healthcare
"I can't afford healthcare. I'm single, on my own," said DHL Worker Amber Fortier. "They offered 60% coverage, but we found out it was only 60% for an individual. When people have families that 60% isn't covering their spouse and children."
Workers at Bally's in Lincoln voting to strike today
Since the end of the most recent wave of Covid, business at Bally's has returned to pre-pandemic levels, say workers. But Bally's has only called back around 40% staff. This means that those who are back at work are working twice as hard.
Seven Stars owners voluntarily recognize new union
“I am so excited about our recognition from the company," said Natasha Brennan, a barista at the Point St. location. "All of us love our jobs and love each other. As Seven Stars continues to grow with more locations, we want ourselves and our future coworkers to have better protections, wages, and benefits. Unionization ensures this for everyone.”
Seven Stars barista Izzie Cossey talks about unionization effort
"Currently we have three stores that are unionizing. We have Hope Street, Point Street and Broadway. We're in the process of working towards getting our other two stores, Cranston and Rumford, unionized, and we're working really hard to get our production facility to be in the same process...."
Seven Stars Bakery employees in Providence file for union elections
“We, the dedicated undersigned employees of Seven Stars Bakery at Hope St., Point St., and Broadway, in Providence, RI, formally request Seven Stars Bakery to recognize United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328 (UFCW 328) and begin the bargaining process..."
Essential healthcare workers hold State House rally to demand investment now, not later
“At the same time demand has spiked, staffing is the worst I have ever seen,” said Ian Lacombe, a Registered Nurse who has worked at Butler Hospital for 20 years. “Higher demand and COVID’s effect on staff has led to more hours with less people working, a perfect storm for high burnout.”
RI's labor movement welcomes unionizing Starbucks workers
"We feel really good about where we are," said Starbucks worker and union organizer Cassie Burke. "Everyone's on the same page: We're ready to make this happen together."
Starbucks workers in Warwick hold informational picket ahead of unionization vote
"We feel really good about where we are,” said union organizer Cassie Burke, an employee at the Pace Blvd Starbucks. "Everyone’s on the same page; we’re ready to make this happen together."