Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Alisha A. Pina
Journal Staff Writer

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The city's teachers are meeting with their union leaders today to decide their next step after Superior Court Judge Mark A. Pfeiffer refused to order the School Committee to rescind cuts in pay and fringe benefits that the board unilaterally imposed on teachers earlier this month.

The changes went into effect Jan. 5 and were first reflected in the teachers' Jan. 16 paychecks. They include rolling back salaries nearly 5 percent and forcing the educators to pay 20 percent toward their health insurance costs. In their previous contract, which expired Oct. 31, the teachers didn't contribute anything toward those costs.

Pfeiffer's late last week decision said the changes that were made did not cause the teachers to suffer "irreparable harm," which is necessary for him to intervene. He also said the state Labor Relations Board has "exclusive and original jurisdiction over unfair labor practice cases."

"I'm sure the members all have a copy of his decision and we will answer any questions they might have," said Jeanette Woolley, a representative for the East Providence Education Association, which represents the city's more than 500 teachers. The meeting, which is closed to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium at East Providence High School.

Immediately after his decision was released Thursday afternoon, a union press release said the group was disappointed by Pfeiffer's decision and the teachers are "considering all their options," including an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

"Teachers are being harmed by the loss of pay, but we have confidence that the union has a good argument before the Rhode Island State Labor Board, [which] has initial jurisdiction in the case," the release says. "East Providence teachers, despite doing their job each day in teaching the students in their classrooms, are losing money, and that will continue until we reach a resolution."

 Tags  East Providence teachers

Comments

Dave said:

When are labor union employees gonna get the picture? The US economy stinks, and the RI economy is even worse. I hope all municipalities start taking this kind of VERY necessary corrective action. The unions have had their way for decades and taxpayers like me are darned sick of it..........

Link | January 26, 2009 2:50 PM
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watchfuleye said:

How much is the union paying for the use of the auditorium? Or is this just another paid for by the taxpayer perk? Don't we have enough union halls available for them?

Link | January 26, 2009 7:04 PM
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