Common Ground VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4
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APRIL 2010
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Weaving a case for jobs by Gordon Shearer an estimated 2.5 million labor At Weaver’s Cove Energy, we hours with $125 million in direct are excited to be moving forward wages. What are some of the union with one of the largest investments trades that will be needed during in Southern New England in construction? Operating engineers, decades. Our proposed $700 welders, electricians, carpenters, million project -- including the construction of an offshore berth in pipe fitters, laborers, plumbers, Teamsters, sheet metal workers, Mt. Hope Bay, a pipeline transfer cement masons, steel workers, and system, and an onshore LNG iron workers among many others. storage facility in Fall River -- is an Once operational, the terminal essential solution to meeting the will employ 50 highly paid workers, area’s need for additional cleansupport an additional 350 jobs, and burning natural gas supplies. We are committed to designing, generate $105 million in annual direct and indirect economic constructing, and operating the benefits, including tax payments to safest and most secure LNG area cities and towns. terminal possible. We are also The 20 percent increase in the committed to listening to and supply of gas created by our project working with community members will result in lower natural gas who understandably have questions bills, and since natural gas is used about our project. That’s why to generate electricity, it will also for the past eight years we’ve mean lower electric bills for area participated in dozens of state and residents and businesses. In a 2007 federal public forums to address report, ISO community New England, concerns. As Weaver’s Cove will hire up to which the project operates the review process 1,000 skilled local union trade region’s power moves forward, workers to work an estimated grid, forecast we look forward 2.5 million labor hours with that lowering to continued natural public $125 million in direct wages. gas prices input and could bring engagement. electricity cost savings of $10 billion There are a number of annually. Our LNG terminal will important regional and community help New England realize these costs benefits that our facility will create. savings and strengthen the region’s First and foremost during the future economic competitiveness. current economic downturn, our Despite the promise of jobs project will generate desperately and lower energy prices, there are needed jobs. During the project’s a number of special interest groups three year construction, Weaver’s who are determined to block our Cove will hire up to 1,000 skilled project at all costs. Groups like local union trade workers to work Save The Bay, Save Bristol Harbor, and certain elected officials have For More Information Visit made unfounded www.WeaversCove.com and factually Get the Facts About LNG at incorrect claims www.LNGFactCheck.com about the safety, environmental, and economic impacts of our
project in an ongoing attempt to whip up opposition among the public and local elected officials. The concern most frequently voiced in opposition to Weaver’s Cove is that shipping LNG is extremely dangerous and will threaten the safety of nearby communities, as well as require the Bay to be “closed” whenever an LNG tanker passes through. An associated claim is that LNG tankers create a risk to the Pell and Mt. Hope bridges that are essential to area residents. The facts belie these claims. First, LNG is not explosive nor stored under pressure. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), “Although a large amount of energy is stored in LNG, it cannot be released rapidly enough to cause the overpressures associated with an explosion. LNG vapors (methane) mixed with air are not explosive in an unconfined environment.” In 50-plus years of shipping history, LNG tankers have made over 55,000 voyages and traveled more than 128 million miles without a major incident. LNG has been shipped safely into Tokyo, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, for nearly 40 years. Closer to home, LNG tankers have safely transited under Boston’s Tobin Bridge for over 35 years without incident. Indeed, hundreds of LNG ships have safely maneuvered backwards under the Tobin Bridge which has the same vertical clearance as the Mt. Hope Bridge. Economic life on either side of that bridge has not come to a grinding halt as the opposition would have you believe would be the case in Rhode Island. Given this excellent safety record and the expert knowledge of local marine pilots, there is no reason to believe that LNG shipments pose any threat to area residents or the Pell and Mt. Hope bridges. Indeed, the U.S. Coast See WEAVER’S COVE Page 6
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Teachers shoulder too much blame for ills of schools Unmotivated students cited By Robert A. Salerno As a public school teacher for 47 years, it is very disappointing to me that one of our noble professions is under constant attack by the local print media and radio pundits, most of whom have not been in a public school for at least 20 years. It would be great if these so-called “experts,” reporters and talk-show hosts with 20-hour work weeks, visited various public schools in order to comment from personal knowledge instead of hearsay. I submit that they might learn that the problems of public education do not lie with the teachers but with the students themselves. Although many youngsters try to be good students, there are far too many who do not. These boys and girls should be called “attendees,” ones who go to school but give little or no effort. Their numbers are larger than ever and I will leave it to our educational leaders to find out why this is happening in many areas of our state. These unmotivated students hurt their parents, classmates, school and society. According to the research, this begins to appear in middle school and becomes worse as these “attendees” move to the high school level. This phenomenon is not the fault of the classroom teacher. Are we so naïve as to think that all of the “good” teachers are in Barrington, East Greenwich, or South Kingstown? In Providence, are all the “good” highschool teachers at Classical High School, one of the state’s finest schools? If the answer to the questions above is no, as I believe, then what is the difference between the successful schools and the failing ones? Although many students from low-achieving schools do succeed despite many obstacles, there are too many who do not. Let us put the onus on those attendees who give little or no effort. They are found in every school in our state but in differing numbers. Instead of worrying about seniority, teacher evaluations, and teacher salaries, educational leaders should spend their time and effort trying to discover why so many boys and girls have so little regard for a good education. Blaming teachers may improve ratings or subscriptions but it does nothing to raise the proficiency of our students. I challenge all who read this to visit one or more See SCHOOLS Page 5
We sponsor low-cost Page 2 Common Ground spaying/ neutering clinics, provide pet adoption On the same day,legal the Westin Hotel increased services, Assistance, housekeeper workload by 13%, cut workers’ investigate neglect We sponsor low-costand By Paul V. Palange wages by 20%, and doubled or tripled the spaying/ neutering clinics, cases, and advocate costabuse of their health insurance. Michael Surtel has been living and coping with pet adoption for theprovide protection of animals. Crohn’s disease for 20 years. His condition became services, legalof Assistance, Join the members UNITE HERE so severe, that the 33-year-old West Warwick investigate neglect and resident and master plumber had to go on disability Local 217 protesting these We in sponsor low-cost in 2006. abuse and advocate unfair laborcases, practices byclinics, ... spaying/ neutering However, he refuses to allow the illness that
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causes chronic inflammation of his digestive and gastrointestinal tract to surrender his desire to remain active and contribute to society. While Crohn’s makes it impossible for Surtel to practice his trade on a full-time basis, he remains a member of the Local 51 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union and head of its Community Outreach Committee. In his committee role, Surtel reached out to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation, which is raising money for a monument at the site of the nightclub blaze that claimed the lives of 100 people and injured more than 200 patrons of the entertainment venue at 211 Cowesett Ave. in West Warwick on Feb. 20 2003. His efforts led to a commitment from BuildRI, a labor-management coalition that includes 17 trade unions, to provide the workers necessary to construct the planned Station Fire Memorial Park. In addition, architects such as Robert Weygand, a former congressman and the vice president for administration at the University of Rhode Island, have promised to design the memorial free of charge. Besides providing the labor, the unions will contribute as much of the materials as possible to construct the park, according to Christine Fontaine, who heads up the memorial foundation. Fontaine, whose son perished in the blaze and whose daughter suffered severe burns, said her organization wants to do more than remember the 100 victims of the fire. She explained the group hopes the memorial will also serve as a reminder that state and local officials must act to prevent the occurrence of similar tragedies. Dave Kane, a member of the foundation’s board and the father of the youngest person to die in the fire, said building the park “is less about remembering our loved ones. It’s to remind people to do the right thing. It’s to remind people of the
Senator: RIPTA taking wrong turn Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) thinks the management at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has its priorities confused. “Instead of doing all they can to keep prices low and to bring ridership up,” he said, “they are planning fare increases and service cuts later this year. At the same time, they are considering spending about $10 million on
an information technology system that is probably not very urgently needed. What my constituents think is needed is better service and lower fares.” Senator Tassoni said he is also critical of a decision made by the RIPTA board at its February meeting to reject use of some or all of $3 million in federal stimulus funds to apply toward the authority’s projected $5.2 million deficit in the next fiscal year.
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“That $3 million from the federal government is intended to be used for operational expenses,” said Senator Tassoni. “My understanding is that nothing precludes RIPTA from using it to reduce its current deficit. Yet apparently the board has some other designs on that money, purchases and spending that may buy a few new items but that at See RIPTA Page 5
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tragedy, and that it could have been avoided.” In the wake of the blaze, there was extensive controversy about the effectiveness of fire and safety regulations and the enforcement efforts by representatives of municipal and statewide agencies. Fontaine termed the property where the Station nightclub once stood as “sacred ground.” She said to see anything but the memorial built there “would just be so wrong.” The generosity of the unions and architects “is the best thing that could have happened to us,” Fontaine said. “It’s like pennies from heaven,” Kane said. “It’s wonderful.” The foundation has about $60,000 for the memorial, according to Fontaine. Additional funds need to be raised in case more materials have to be purchased and for expenses such as ongoing maintenance of the park, insurance protection and utilities. The foundation president is looking for fundraising ideas and hopes businesses will come forward with contributions. Surtel is confident that once the foundation takes possession of the former nightclub site and work on the park starts, more people will step up and offer assistance. “This is going to be bigger than the unions,” he said. “I have already thought about reaching out to some local business for fundraising.” For more information about helping the foundation, people can go to the organization’s Web site at www.stationfirememorialfoundation.org. Their phone number is (401) 489-5109, and the foundation’s e-mail address is sfmf@cox.net. Fontaine, Kane and Surtel are confident the park will become a reality. When that happens, Surtel said, there will be a “happy ending to a sad story.”
Page 1
Weaving a case for jobs
Page 8
Heating aid requests increase by 15 percent
Teachers shoulder too much blame for ills of schools
Page 2
Unions step up for Station Fire victims
Page 9
Long-term care: Searching for needle in haystack
Senator: RIPTA taking wrong turn
Page 10
Consumers’ questions will be answered at upcoming health fair
Page 3
Report champions bold vision for solar energy
Page 4
Grow R.I.’s economy by increasing access to capital
Page 12
Nurses, Hospitals Step Up
Page 13
Could it be sleep apnea?
Page 5
Labor and business unite around Team Rhode Island
Page 14
Rhode Island Senate proposes reefing legislation
Archambault decries hikes of health insurance rates
Page 17
Investing in public transit pays dividends
Page 7
Leading Edge Recovery Center opens in New Jersey
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APRIL 2010
Common Ground
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Report champions bold vision for solar energy By Caitlin Seeley From Laundromats and baseball stadiums, to homes and cars, solar energy is already enhancing energy security and reducing pollution in America. A new Environment Rhode Island report outlines a vision for using the sun to meet10 percent of the United States’ total energy needs by 2030. “The sun provides more energy in an hour than all the coal mines and oil wells do in a year,� said Caitlin Seeley, Federal Field Associate with Environment Rhode Island. “This solar energy is limitless and pollution free. America can and must figure out how to tap the heat and power of the sun. Solar power is also increasingly cost competitive with older, dirtier sources of energy.� Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy examines a wide variety of solar technologies and tools, including photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar water heaters, solar space heating, and passive solar design. Richard Weinberg of Thermal Reserve, LLC asserts that “Many new technological opportunities exist for moving from traditional fuel sources to solar-based sources. The technology, incentives, and proven examples from around the world now allow solar technologies to compete against traditional power and heating sources.� The report also profiles various applications of solar energy currently in use, such as: Walmart’s use of skylights in some of its big box stores has cut energy costs by 15 to 20 percent by reducing the need for electric lighting. Laundry facilities, hotels, hospitals and even baseball’s Boston Red Sox have adopted solar water heating to reduce their consumption of natural gas for
water heating. A Frito-Lay plant in California uses solar concentrators to provide heat for cooking snack foods. Solar energy can be paired with advanced energy efficiency techniques to create zero net energy homes, which produce as much energy as they consume. Zero net energy homes have already been built in parts of the country, are possible in all climates, and often save money for consumers over time. As more plug in electric cars and trucks enter the marketplace, solar energy will power our nation’s transportation system as well. The 17th Avenue Gordon Business Incubator is a building that uses solar, along with other energy saving and green technologies, to revive a decrepit and empty warehouse into a home for fledgling and/or environmentally sensitive businesses and Rhode Island’s first commercial “green� building. By taking advantage of the sun’s power this building is able to power the buildings electrical needs, thus requiring less energy from more polluting sources. The report finds that by achieving a 10 percent goal for solar energy, within two decades the sun could provide more energy than the U.S. currently produces at nuclear power plants, more than half as much as it currently consumes in American cars and light trucks, or nearly half as much as we currently obtain from burning coal. Solar energy can play a major role in weaning the nation from dangerous, polluting, unstable and, in many cases, increasingly expensive forms of energy. Environment Rhode Island called on local, state and federal governments to remove the barriers currently impeding the spread of solar energy. This can be accomplished by investing in solar and adopting strong policies to make solar energy an important part of
America’s energy future. Such policies include financial incentives, advanced building codes, public education, workforce development, research and development, and a strong renewable electricity standard requiring utilities to get a percentage of their electricity from renewable energy, like solar. Matthew Soursourian, Policy Associate for Mayor Cicilline, said that “Mayor Cicilline recognizes the environmental and economic value in supporting solar and other renewable technologies. It is our hope that we can protect the planet and fuel our local economy by creating green jobs right here in Providence.� He highlighted buildings using solar power in Providence, such as the Providence Career and Technical Academy with a solar array on its roof that generates of 35 percent of the hot water used in the 300,000 square-foot building. While Rhode Island already has relatively strong policies to give incentives for solar installations there is still room for improvement. Kenneth Payne, Administrator for the state’s Office of Energy Resources, affirmed that “We’re good, but we should strive for greatness.� “Americans today need barrels of oil from a desert half a world away, in the most unsettled and dangerous region of the earth, just to power a trip to the grocery store,� said Seeley, “How much easier and more secure would it be to harness the heat and light that strikes our rooftops every day?� — Caitlin Seeley, Environment Rhode Island can be reached at cseeley@environmentamerica.org. Environment Rhode Island is a statebased, citizen-funded environmental organization working for cleanair, clean water, and open space.
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Common Ground
APRIL 2010
Grow R.I.’s economy by increasing access to capital By Brian Hull A survey conducted by Providence Business News last December showed that more than 1 in 5 Rhode Island businesses complained that the lack of access to capital was one of the biggest challenges to their business. Small businesses in the state have been feeling the “credit crunch” for years. Lending still hasn’t thawed as it should have, despite billions of dollars given to banks from the federal government. The financial crisis which has devastated the economy grew out of irresponsible over-lending to people who had no capacity to repay. As a reaction, banks have greatly restricted lending and used “free” federal money to shore up their balance sheets. Many small businesses in the state still need, but are unable, to borrow, and the lack of capital prevents many of them from expanding and generating new jobs. Even more problematic is that the banks that are lending don’t make loans in Rhode Island because it’s more profitable to invest elsewhere. How do we solve the lending problem? One way to increase lending is for the state to do it directly. If banks are unwilling to lend, and lack of access to capital is stymieing growth in Rhode Island, then I would argue that it is contingent upon the government to assist. Rhode Island should establish a loan program targeted specifically for expanding access to capital for locallyowned and operated small businesses that wish to expand their business, but are unable to do so because of rigid lending practices. This brings up some important questions. Where would the money come from to establish a lending program? There are a couple places to look, and each has benefits and challenges. The state could borrow the money from the federal government or from
national lending institutions. The state could change its tax laws to generate more revenue in order to lend. The state could eliminate existing corporate subsidies that benefit large employers with no positive economic effect. The state could establish a state-run bank funded by the current deposits held by the state and its cities and towns. How much should be available to lend? Honestly, the more the better. Loan size, borrower requirements, and repayment terms should be modeled after pre-crisis loan programs found in the state or nationally. The goal of the program should be to loosen up credit to businesses that want and need credit to grow their business (or create new ones) and hire more workers. Of course, lending should be contingent on an appropriate analysis of the risks involved in lending. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of expertise in the state regarding this, so assistance may need to be imported. Should there be any specific employment guidelines attached to the loans with regard to number of jobs created or wage level? While it would be ideal for businesses to use the loan program to expand their operations and exclusively hire high-wage workers, there is low probability of that happening. And there’s something to be said for reducing the almost 13% unemployment rate by providing middle-wage and even low-wage jobs to people who are currently out of work. The unfortunate reality of Rhode Island’s labor market is that there are too many low-wage jobs in the state. To deny businesses access to capital based on wage level, however, will only lengthen the state’s economic recession. The most important factor
(to me anyway) is loan repayment. Expanding access to capital is only one piece of the economic recovery puzzle, but it is a pretty big piece.
Brian Hull is the owner and editor of the progressive news blog Rhode Island’s Future (www.rifuture.org). He can be reached at brianhull@rifuture.org.
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Common Ground
Labor and business unite around Team Rhode Island By Laurie White because we must enlarge our tax base. A shrinking tax base hurts everyone. Rhode Island needs to get into a hypergrowth mode. We can’t do that by standing still. It is essential that Rhode Island’s effort be commensurate with national norms. The Chamber’s Innovation Providence Implementation Council (IPIC) is moving the Knowledge Economy Roadmap with great success and acceptance in the community. Precisely plotted targets of opportunity have ripened in medical devices, offshore wind, life sciences, design, and various entrepreneurial sectors. Our colleagues in labor as well as in the colleges, universities and hospitals have emerged as true partners. We are united around the goal of good jobs for all Rhode Islanders at all points along the skills and economic spectrum. So what’s the next step in terms of getting some real job development in place? We must launch a comprehensive, integrated, statewide business attraction program. We are prepared to organize an effort known as Team Rhode Island. We will ignite the power of our own citizenry to play a never-beentried-before role in economic development prospecting Here’s how it would work. Team Rhode Island would furnish the leads based
Laurie White We are calling it Team Rhode Island. It’s a brand new effort being launched this month by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to get Rhode Island into the game in a very big way in terms of revving up our economy. And true to its name, we would like to take this opportunity to invite and encourage our valued colleagues in the labor community to be an essential part of this team. With the restructuring of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation nicely underway, the Chamber is committed to being a positive and collaborative partner in working with the new staff and Board to improve the state’s performance in generating jobs and crafting the appropriate national profile that draws in consumers, workers, investors, students and entrepreneurs. An influx of people and talent is key
on existing business and professional relationships. It’s all about identifying prospects who literally need to have a presence in Rhode Island. This type of lead generation is consistent with what proactive communities around the country are doing, most notably Austin, Texas. Together, we would court these prospects with persuasive evidence on the benefits of having a physical presence in Rhode Island and tapping into our labor force. A web based campaign would also be launched to give structure to the effort. The intent would be to stay very narrow in the beginning stages and target investment in the previously defined targets of opportunity as pinpointed in the Knowledge Economy Roadmap. Specifically, we are looking to recruit new investors into our Centers of Excellence. Amid a great spirit of professional collegiality, the business community, the labor community and our partners in government are now in a position to move the knowledge economy effort to the next level and to get Rhode Island “into the game.” But we must act quickly. Rhode Islanders are counting on us. — Laurie White is President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
Providence’s Bravest
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RIPTA Continued from page 2 the same time will require riders to pay more in fares and deal with cuts in services. That makes no sense to me at all, and it is not going to be well received by residents of our state who must rely on RIPTA for their travel needs.” Senator Tassoni called on the RIPTA board to rethink its decisions “and spend the
money it is receiving from the federal government more wisely, so as to provide better service to the people who need to use the buses. A new IT system and some new vehicles are not going to serve much of a purpose if it means fares are too high and service is too sporadic to fill those buses with riders.”
Archambault decries hikes of health insurance rates Democratic Attorney General candidate Steve Archambault decried a decision by State Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher Koller to approve rate hikes of nearly 10 percent by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island; a 9 percent increase by Tufts Health Plan and a 6 percent increase by United Health Care. “These rate hikes will impact over 300,000 Rhode Islanders and are a critical blow to a state already mired in doubledigit unemployment. These increases will suffocate efforts by companies to not only hire new workers, but also to retain the workers they have. The majority of employers have already cut their operating costs to the bone and will have difficulty sustaining an increase of this magnitude,” Archambault said. “While these rate hikes are lower than originally requested, they are
still far too high and signal a need for increased advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders.” Archambault has led the fight against the rate hikes and has repeatedly called on Koller to re-examine the basis for the requests. Most recently, Archambault, pointing to a study released by Health Insurance Commissioner Chris Koller’s office that ranks Rhode Island Health Insurers’ Administrative expenses higher than the average in New England, called on Health Insurance Commissioner Koller to give administrative costs stricter scrutiny. Archambault, who serves as a councilman in Smithfield, would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General’s office. His experience as a police officer, local prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all elements of the criminal justice system.
SCHOOLS Continued from cover
public schools. Observe our teachers in action. caring, generous and in love with their job. Let us put the blame where it belongs, on the far too many kids Observe the students they are teaching. You may be Serving the City of Providence since 1854 who refuse to learn what they are being taught. Most surprised at what you see both good and bad. By doing teachers are extremely competent at what they do, but this, each of you can formulate your own opinions. they are not miracle workers. I still remember my In conclusion, please refrain from blaming our parents saying, “You can bring a horse to water, but many dedicated teachers for all ofFIRE the ills of some PROVIDENCE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799 cannot make him/her drink!” ASSOCIATION FIGHTERS of our schools.INTERNATIONAL The vast majority are well-educated,OF FIRE you
— Robert A. Salerno, of Warwick, who retired in 1994 but still does substitute teaching, taught social studies in middle school and high school, most recently at Pilgrim High School. He also served as a sports coach.
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successfully co-existed with commercial shipping traffic for decades, including ships requiring the same safety and security restrictions as LNG tankers. Boston Harbor has received hundreds of LNG shipments. Commercial and recreational boaters in Boston Harbor have not found their waterway blocked when LNG tankers pass by. Indeed, cruise ship traffic into Boston has increased in recent years. It’s unfortunate that these false and misleading claims are made over and over again. Especially since the facts
clearly show that LNG tankers and terminals operate safely and securely, while delivering supplies of environmentally friendly energy to consumers. That’s why Weaver’s Cove Energy is moving forward to complete our project bringing high paying jobs, millions of dollars in economic impact, and lower energy prices to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Southeastern New England.
WEAVER’S COVE Continued from cover Guard, which is responsible for assuring the safety of marine operations in all U.S. waters, has determined that the Narragansett and Mount Hope bays are suitable for the type and frequency of LNG marine traffic associated with our LNG project. Another claim frequently leveled against Weaver’s Cove is that dredging required for our project will stir up “toxic sediment” in Mt. Hope Bay. Extensive testing of sediment in the bay, required as part of the project’s federal permitting process, overseen
by the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers, has found that contaminants are at such low concentration levels that dredging will result in no adverse environmental impacts. A similar claim is that dredging will threaten the bay’s winter flounder population. While portions of our project will disturb potential winter flounder habitat, we are prepared to spend millions of dollars to mitigate this impact. It’s also important to recognize that the primary threat to winter flounder is not from our project or a lack of habitat in
the bay, but from over-fishing. There is no documented shortage of winter flounder spawning habitat and habitat preservation will not increase the population of winter flounder. Only more severe restrictions on fishing appear to offer a way to allow flounder stocks to recover. Finally, critics of our project often claim that LNG shipments will completely shut down the bay, driving away recreational boaters, cruise ships, and tourism. This claim is disingenuous. Users of Narragansett Bay have
— Gordon Shearer is chief executive officer of Weaver’s Cove Energy.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Affordable Hearing Solution
LOCAL UNION 99
Allen P. Durand Business Manager Ronald Leddy Asst. Business Manager
John P. Shalvey President
22 Amflex Drive • Cranston, R.I. 02921 (401) 946-9900 • Fax (401) 946-9907
WWW.IBEWLU99.ORG
APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 7
Leading Edge Recovery Center opens in New Jersey By Melvin Stokes Executive Director Melvin F. Stokes MHS, LPC, LCADC, is proud to announce that on March 13, he and his team officially opened the doors to Leading Edge Recovery Center (L.E.R.C.)(http://www. leadingedgerecoverycenter.com) in Hamilton, N.J. There will be an open house on April 7 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. and facility tours can be scheduled any time by contacting the facility at (609) 249-9470.
While the facility has been certified and approved by the appropriate powers that be for quite some time, Stokes and his team wanted to be absolutely sure that L.E.R.C. had only the finest resources available to treat substance abuse and mental health disorders, before opening facility doors. Well, that day finally arrived; from the living environment to the professional staff, Leading Edge Recovery Center is equipped to offer the most advanced
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care practices available today and will provide patients with individualized treatment based on each their own unique circumstances. Stokes said, “Our goal is to help clients achieve meaningful abstinence. The purpose of Leading Edge Recovery Center is to create an environment that will foster the care, concern, and commitment to meet the chemical dependency and related treatment, training and educational needs of the community it serves.” Stokes added, “Leading Edge Recovery Center also believes that the delivery of services must be specifically oriented toward the gender, age, sexual orientation, and culture of each client. Treatment components are provided in the most gender-specific, culturally sensitive, and age appropriate setting as possible.” For further inquiries or information regarding Leading Edge Recovery Center’s April 7 open house, or to schedule a tour anytime contact Stokes at (609) 249-9470. For admissions, please call (877) 537-5372.
About Leading Edge Recovery Center Leading Edge Recovery Center does a NJ-SAMS, ASI, ASAM PPC-2 assessment, and bio-psychosocial history
and
assessment
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determine the level of care needed along with the treatment issues that need to be addressed, A Primary Counselor is assigned to each client at admission to direct client treatment through the assessment, treatment plan development, individual and/ or family counseling and group therapy. Treatment plans are individualized and designed with the participation of the client.
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With Additional Support from: UA 51, National Education Association Rhode Island, RI Federation of Teachers & Health Professionals, IBEW Local 99, RI Building & Construction Trades Council, SEIU State Council, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 11, United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328, Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) OPEIU LOCAL 25
Homeowners Welcome!
Page 8
Common Ground
Heating aid requests increase by 15 percent
APRIL 2010
Providence’s Bravest Providence’s Bravest Providence’s Bravest
By John A. Pernorio
Serving the City of Serving Providence sinceof1854 the City Providence since 1854 Serving the City of Providence since 1854
PROVIDENCE FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799 PROVIDENCE FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799
As the winter wears on, the number of households applying for home heating assistance has risen to record levels for the third straight year, rising by 15 percent to include 8.8 million households. The majority of these applicants are lowincome seniors, disabled people, and families living beneath the federal poverty line. Under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, states provide grants of about $500; however, due to increased demand, many states have had to cut the grants or applications to stretch funds, leaving many in the lurch. While several states forbid the cut-off of utilities during the winter, struggling retirees often put off payments and build up debt. In the spring, seniors may find themselves lacking gas and electricity as companies seek payment.
— Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson sat down with the CNBC television network last week to discuss his post as co-chair of the President’s Fiscal Commission on the National Debt. Throughout the conversation, he leveled several attacks against seniors and senior advocacy organizations, accusing them of not caring “a whit about their grandchildren... not a whit.” When asked about cuts he would recommend to the President and Congress, he replied, “We are going to stick to the big three,” meaning, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. “Alan Simpson’s prior record in the Senate has proven his determination to cut Medicare and Social Security. His appointment has caused widespread alarm among seniors, veterans, and disabled Americans, who increasingly rely on those programs during the economic downturn,” said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
—
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS OF FIRE FIGHTERS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
PROVIDENCE FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 799 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS
Paul A. Doughty,Paul President A. Doughty, President Doughty, President Philip F. Paul Fiore,A.Vice President Philip F. Fiore, Vice President F. Fiore, President Scott Philip G. Mello, Secretary ScottVice G. Mello, Secretary Scott G.John Mello, Secretary Treasurer John F. Woodard, Treasurer F. Woodard, John F. Woodard, Treasurer Executive Board Executive Representatives Board Representatives ExecutiveJ.Board Representatives Christopher Jannitto Christopher J. Jannitto Joseph P. Moreino P. Moreino ChristopherJoseph J. Jannitto Hans Ramsden Hans Ramsden Joseph P. Moreino Wayne C. Oliveira Wayne C. Oliveira Hans Ramsden Zachariah Kenyon Wayne C.Zachariah Oliveira Kenyon Anthony Toro Anthony Toro Zachariah Kenyon
The Social Security Administration recently added 38 new conditions to its list of “compassionate allowances,” diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for expedited Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. The new allowances include adult brain disorders, including early-onset Anthony Toro Alzheimer’s disease. Go to http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Vp3cLMY1DB_F/ for a full listing. The upside of the additions is that tens of thousands of92 Americans withStreet Printery 92 Printery Street serious disabilities will get approved for Social Security benefits in a more timely Providence, RI 02904 Providence, fashion - it could take just days instead of months or years - and benefits will92 reach Printery Street RI 02904 401-272-7999 (O)401-272-7999 (O) many more Americans with severe conditions. Providence, RI 02904
401-274-7999 (F)401-274-7999 (F) 401-272-7999 (O) 401-274-7999 (F)
John A. Pernorio is President of Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans
Paul A. Doughty Paul A. Dough 401-569-4444 401-569-4444 Paul A. Doughty 401-569-4444 local799.com local799.com local799.com
Rhode Island Judicial, Professional and Technical Employees’
LOCAL UNION 808 Frank A. Ciccone Business Manager
Pasquale Zompa Norma M. Sousa President Vice President
Claudia Porrazzo Recording Secretary
David Garzone Executive Board Member
Dominick J. Ruggerio Secretary-Treasurer
Gina M. Sabitoni-Arakelian Executive Board Member
APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 9
Long-term care: Searching for needle in haystack by John Edes Few subjects are as mysterious to consumers as insurance, and few types of insurance confuse buyers more than long-term care insurance. To increase your understanding of long-term care (LTC) insurance, let’s begin with the answers to some frequently asked questions: What is long term care? Who needs LTC coverage? Won’t government entitlements provide this protection? And exactly what does LTC protect against? Long-term care is, in its simplest form, the help required by people who suffer a long illness or disability. Help can be provided in the form of nursing home care or as home custodial care, in which a person receives assistance with so-called activities of daily living such as dressing or bathing. Who requires long term care? According to a study by the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging, of all Americans who are 65 or older today, one-half of the women and one-third of the men can expect to spend at least 2.5 years in a nursing home.* But not all these people are candidates for LTC insurance. People with an estate value, excluding homes, of less than $100,000, and those with over $2 million in assets are not prime LTC candidates. In the first example LTC may not be appropriate due to cost, especially when purchased after the age of 70. This group is more likely to qualify for Medicaid assistance after “spending down” their assets, although
freedom of choice is sacrificed in these instances because under Medicaid the government decides the appropriate care and facility. The latter group obviously has the means to meet longterm care costs. But beware that the costs can be high—annual nursing home costs can range from $20,000 to $80,000 per year. Medicare provides excellent medical coverage for a short-term health crisis such as cancer surgery or a heart operation, but it is not designed to meet the costs associated with long-term care needs. Assuming that national health care reform ever becomes a reality, will the government provide some sort of LTC coverage for everyone? At this point, all we can do is guess. But when you consider the enormity and cost of providing basic health insurance for all citizens you have to wonder where the government is going to come up with additional funds for long-term care. So what if you determine that a LTC policy is for you? What should you look for in an LTC policy? Guidelines offered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners provide a good starting point. First, all companies will offer a buyer’s guide that can help you decide whether or not coverage is appropriate for your situation. A flexible LTC policy does not require hospitalization or nursing home confinement for benefits to kick in. It should also
guarantee that coverage cannot be canceled because of age or medical conditions, and it should offer an inflation protection rider. Pay close attention to the fine print. Look to see if the policy covers cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Some will exclude these. Also, check the time and financial limits on nursing home stays and home health care costs. Remember: the majority of long-term care providers are family members. A middle-aged person can spend as much time caring for a parent as raising children. Although they are costlier than more restrictive policies, LTC coverage based on the loss of function—dressing, bathing, feeding and such—is more flexible, allowing for benefits to flow to a family member who, perhaps, has left a full time job to care for a parent. Then there is cost to consider. An 80-year-old can pay as much as four times more for the same coverage as a 65-year-old; nine times as much as a 50-year-old. Increasing numbers of people are buying LTC coverage, and many have done so because experience with family members or friends has made them aware of the need. For many people, switching from disability insurance—which protects against lost income due to disability— to LTC near retirement age is a painless transition. When you think about it, a person who needs long-term care is every bit as disabled as an employee or
business owner who can’t work. The biggest difference between the two is that LTC offers asset protection as opposed to disability insurance, which is income protection. And as our population grows older together, LTC is something more of us will need to consider. *Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Aging, August, 2000.
John C. Edes is a registered representative of Equity Services Inc. Securities are offered solely by Equity Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, 875 Centerville Road, Building One, Warwick, R. I., 02886 (401-828-2090 x305). Maffe Financial Group is independent of Equity Services Inc.
David P. Fleming President James P. Riley Secretary-Treasurer
Southern New Englands Neighborhood Union United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 328 278 Silver Spring Street • Providence, RI 02904-2593 • 401.861.0300 • 800.624.7776 • www.ufcw328.org
Infusion Therapy Respiratory Services
Compounding Nursing Services
Carpenter’s Local 94 There’s no place like home
for healing. New England Home Infusion, Inc. specializes in administering adult and pediatric intravenous and respiratory therapies in the comfort of patients’ homes. Licensed in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, we provide for the medical needs of patients throughout Southeastern New England. Specialized medical equipment is delivered to patients’ homes and our pharmacy and nursing staffs monitor dosages, schedules and laboratory results.
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Page 10
Common Ground
APRIL 2010
Consumers’ questions will be answered at upcoming health fair A Coalition of 100,000 Rhode Island Union Workers and Retirees Unions have improved the quality of life for all working people. Child Labor Laws • Social Security Overtime Pay • Minimum Wage Health Insurance • Unemployment Insurance Workers’ Compensation Paid Vacations • Pension Plans Learn more about the labor movement Watch LaborVision each week on Cox (Channel 14), Verizon (Channel 33) and Full Channel (Channel 9) every Tuesday @ 7pm, Thursday @ 8pm, and Saturday @ 5pm.
www.WorkingRI.com
Defenders of Animals To Hold Spay/Neuter Clinic A low-cost spay/neuter clinic will be held on April 30. The monthly pre-paid low-cost clinics are in cooperation with the Humane Association of Northwestern R.I., the SNYPP Clinic and Defenders of Animals Inc. The low-cost clinics are held at the SNYPP Clinic, 9 Church St., Pascoag. The cost is $65 per cat, which includes rabies and distemper shots, a check-up, and the spay/neuter procedure. The prepaid low-cost spay/neuter clinics are by appointment only. The appointments for this day will be made through Defenders of Animals Inc. Please call Defenders of Animals at (401) 461-1922 for details.
Compliments of
International Union of Operating Engineers LOCAL UNION 57 Providence, Rhode Island
James J. White
Business Manager and President
Timothy E. Quillen
Vice President and Bus. Agent
Gregory E. Olson
Treasurer and Bus. Agent
By George Nee Last month President Obama signed into law a historic health insurance reform bill that many in the labor movement have been working toward for years. The bill will prevent insurance companies from denying claims for preexisting conditions, lift the lifetime limits on care, protect the middle class and cover 32 million Americans that are without access to any insurance. While we applaud this momentous occasion, the sad reality is that today there are still 140,000 Rhode Island adults without health insurance. National health insurance reform will provide relief and coverage in the long run, but there is still work that needs to be done—people will not wait for the reforms to get sick or need medical attention. The immediate health care needs of the thousands of uninsured and underinsured Rhode Islanders is the reason why Working Rhode Island is sponsoring a health fair on April 17. Rhode Island’s labor unions have partnered with doctors, nurses, community groups, the business community, health care providers and many concerned volunteers to put on this unique one- day health fair. On the day of the fair, people will be able to get basic health screenings and testing done while being referred to the various public and private programs across the state where they may be eligible to receive continuing care. Numerous studies have shown that having a primary care doctor increases the health outcomes of patients while decreasing the cost of providing care. The Working Rhode Island health fair is focused on the needs of uninsured and underinsured Rhode Island adults. In addition to screenings and referrals, people will be able to talk with doctors and nurses from a variety of specialties to get their health questions answered. There will also be information on nutrition, smoking cessation programs and dental care. The idea is to give people without health insurance medical attention and connect them to a regular source of care. Anyone who is uninsured, underinsured or who has trouble getting access to the health care system is invited to attend the Working Rhode Island Health Fair on April 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Providence Career & Technical Academy, 91 Fricker St., Providence.
For more information, please contact Working Rhode Island at working_ri@yahoo.com.
AFSCME Local 2881 Representing RIDEM and CRMC www.local2881.org
APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 11
“In these tough economic times, we must re-double our efforts to protect all of our residents from fraud and bad business practices. Truth in Advertising needs to be more than just a slogan. As Attorney General, I will work to make it the Rhode Island way.”
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Page 12
Common Ground
APRIL 2010
Nurses, Hospitals Step Up “You gave me encouragement and reinforcement to go back to school and to achieve my goals.” “I will forever be grateful to Stepping Up for giving me the opportunity to teach for the program.” The preceding quotes are from a participant and an instructor of a program called Stepping Up. “What is Stepping Up?” you ask. Stepping Up is an innovative career ladders program that provides training, education, career coaching and support services for: • Entry-level workers at hospitals and other health care facilities in Rhode Island. • Low-income community residents. The program is a partnership between the United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP)/Rhode Island Hospital Health Care Education Trust and Women and Infants Hospital, along with a number of community-based organizations, unions, education providers and health care organizations. The trust itself is a labor-management partnership made up of the United Nurses & Allied Professionals and Rhode Island Hospital that was established in 2004 to provide continuing education and career advancement opportunities for health care workers. Once established, the trust partnered with Women & Infants Hospital to form Stepping Up in 2006 to create a comprehensive, career-ladder work force development program for entry-level, incumbent health care workers and low-income community residents. Under the auspices of the United Way’s Skill Up initiative, Stepping Up brought together two competing organizations, Women & Infants and Rhode Island Hospital, in the interest of creating a program that would not only address work force shortages in health care, but work to expand employment, training and education opportunities for low-income community residents and health care workers in the greater Providence area. The two hospitals, in conjunction with a host of funders and partner organizations, implemented a program that in the years since its conception has flourished even as economic conditions brought hardship to so many residents and employers in Rhode Island. Stepping Up offers many program services that include career exploration; job shadowing; job readiness training; job-specific classes; soft skills training; English-as-a-second-language (ESL); GED; mentoring; job counseling; academic and career
advisement; financial aid planning; tutoring; internships; and job placement. Those services prepare entry-level health care workers for career advancement and assist lowincome community residents to obtain employment as registered nurses and other health professions that are experiencing or are projected to experience significant labor market shortages. The program addresses several critical priorities, including a) filling chronic labor market shortages in the health care professions, b) enhancing the academic skills of low-income adults, c) expanding employment opportunities and income levels of low-income neighborhood residents, and d) increasing the cultural and linguistic diversity of health professionals, thereby improving the quality of health care services to culturally and linguistically diverse patients and families. Although still a young program, Stepping Up has already racked up some impressive successes. Since Stepping Up’s implementation in late 2007, a total of 227 participants have enrolled in the program, and 59 community residents have gained jobs through Stepping Up in health care. The demand for programs like Stepping Up has risen over the past two years as the economic crisis escalated, with the unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaking in 2009 at 13 percent. Health care is the largest industry in Rhode Island, and the job opportunities in this field are diverse, with many avenues for career advancement. Given this, it makes sense to promote education and training in health care as a means of assisting economically-challenged Rhode Islanders to better their present circumstances as well as their futures. Mijanielle joined Stepping Up through the Genesis Center in February 2008. She and her family had been in the United States for 1.5 years. She spoke very little English. Mijanielle completed a career exploration class at the Genesis Center and interned as a unit secretary at Rhode Island Hospital. During her internship, she asked to learn more certified nursing assistant (CNA) responsibilities. Her manager accommodated the request, and a CNA worked with Mijanielle for half of her internship. Mijanielle enrolled in the Community College of
Rhode Island (CCRI) and went on to graduate from CCRI’s CNA. training in the summer of 2008, obtained her license in August, and a job in a local nursing home. Mijanielle participated in the Stepping Up Career Advancement Academy to learn valuable soft skills such as leadership, decision making, critical thinking, working as a team member, and conflict management. She spoke at the Stepping Up Kick-off event, and enrolled in ESL classes at CCRI. After gaining six months’ experience as a CNA, Mijanielle, with assistance from Stepping Up, applied for CNA positions at Rhode Island Hospital. She impressed management during her interview and was hired within a matter of days. She began her job in March, with a base rate of $13.39 with benefits and a potential to earn $16.89. This new job allowed her, her husband and their three children to move out of her mother-in-law’s apartment into their own home. In addition, the hospital’s tuition reimbursement is helping Mijanielle as she pursues her goal of becoming a nurse. Mijanielle’s story illustrates the way that Stepping Up assists participants in achieving their career goals. Her story is not unique among participant. The Stepping Up office routinely receives letters from grateful participants who have been able to better their lives through Stepping Up’s services. The program works. As 2010 gets under way, Stepping Up is expanding its services statewide, starting in Woonsocket, and then South County. This expansion will provide more Rhode Islanders with the opportunity to take advantage of proven workforce development services that produce results. — For more information about Stepping Up, visit the website at www.steppingupri.org
UA Local Union 51 Plumbers • Pipefitters • Refrigeration Thomas A. Handfield Business Manager Robert Walker Financial Secretary
Timothy L. Byrne Business Agent
Frederick Foeri Organizer/Agent
William D. Mello Business Agent
Done Once. Done Right Serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts
II Hemingway Drive, East Providence, Rhode Island 02915 Telephone: 401-943-3033. Fax: 401-943-8027
www.ualocal51.com
APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Could it be sleep apnea?
Page 13
Take Home
Kaylee Today! You wouldn’t be alone. One in four – approximately 6 million Americans – suffer from sleep apnea.1 Learn about advances in diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea from leading specialists. Meet and ask questions of the experts, tour an innovative sleep center, and enjoy refreshments.
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Does Surgery Cure Sleep Apnea? April 14th, 6:30-8pm Dr. Frederick “Rick” Godley, MD, Alliance ENT
Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) & Treatment with CPAP April 20th, 6:30-8pm Dr. Michael Stanchina, MD, Epoch Sleep Centers Global leaders in sleep and respiratory medicine
How Weight Loss & Metabolic Disorders Affect Sleep Apnea May 5th, 6:30-8pm Dr. Stephen Petteruti, DO, Petteruti Bariatric Medicine
Dental Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea - An Alternative to CPAP Masks and Machines May 11th, 6:30-8pm Dr. Stuart Ross, DMD, Rhode Island Center for Dental Sleep Medicine Sleep Disorders & Depression May 25th, 6:30-8pm Dr. Ethan Kisch, MD, Quality Behavioral Health
Epoch Sleep Centers, ENT Center of Rhode Island, 55 Lambert Lind Hwy, Warwick Sign up today. Limited space available. Free of charge. Call Epoch Sleep Centers at 541-9188 or visit us online at www.epochsc.com 1
National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research
Kaylee is a hound mix, with possibly pointer in there, too. She is a young sweet girl whose only goal is to please. Her name means happy and "pure," and that's exactly how she is. She does get scared easily and will try to hide at first. Children over ten would be fine. She loves to play! All Kaylee needs is a little confidence training to build her confidence so she wont be so unsure. She's an active girl that would love to play fetch with her loving family. She will bring a lot of joy to your home. Kaylee is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed. She's a great girl! Please call Defenders of Animals at 401-461-1922.
So Mike, how did you get involved in the EAP and addiction treatment business?
Michael J. Blackburn
CEAP, LADC-1, SAP, LAP-C, BRI-II
Retired Battalion Chief Providence Fire Department Local 799 Vice President Treatment Solutions Network
I became involved in the EAP/MAP programs because of my own struggles with addiction, as I have been in recovery for many years. Twenty-five years ago, I was asked by my Union President to start a committee to assist our members and their families who needed help with addiction and mental health issues, because of my own experiences, I was excited to help. We started a silent committee to offer confidential help to Firefighters and their families who were struggling with these issues. I spent several years obtaining certifications in the field and have been helping members and their families ever since!
How has this program benefited firefighters and their loved ones?
Firefighters often experience things in the line of duty that cause mental and emotional stress that can lead to substance abuse. Once we built the EAP/MAP program we were amazed at how many people came forward to get the help they needed. Part of the rehabilitation process is learning how to deal with these stresses so they don’t negatively affect the rest of their lives and their families.
Where has life taken you since retirement? Well before I retired, I worked closely with Treatment Solutions Network to place my members, providing the care that they needed. I was so impressed with the company that I started working with them more and have now become a Vice President and shareholder in the company. We have expanded the network to include top rated treatment centers, not just in Florida, but across the nation as well. Our network is set up to accept most insurances, self-pay and contracted rates with health & welfare funds to make treatment affordable to everyone.
What is next for you and Treatment Solutions Network? We are working with a committee focus group comprised of leadership from Boston Fire, Boston Police, Providence Fire, MA Department of Corrections and MA Sheriff’s Department. This group is being directed by a highly accomplished therapist to design programs specifically geared toward Unions, Public Safety Officers and to help us better serve the Employee Assistance Professionals we work with. Our programs are designed to find the best possible solution to Dual Diagnosis problems. Solutions that combine, long term success, financial flexibility, and clinical practice into effective services.
To learn more about how we help professionals visit, www.TreatmentSolutionsNetwork.com/professionals, call toll free, 1-877-417-6237, or contact your local Treatment Consultant.
making connections for recovery
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Common Ground
APRIL 2010
Rhode Island Senate proposes reefing legislation By Jesse Rathier Nicknamed Little Rhody, the nation’s smallest state, Rhode Island, took a giant step forward this month when the senate proposed legislation to authorize the creation of man made reefs in the waters off the states southern coast. Democrat State Senators John J. Tassoni, Jr. with V. Susan Sosnowski and Christopher B. Maselli came together to cosponsor Senate Bill S2441. This legislation would authorize the State of Rhode Island to accept custody of decommissioned warships from the US Navy and US Maritime Administration for the purpose of sinking a vessel to form an artificial reef. Known as “reefing”, project organizers envision obtaining surplus vessels from as far away as Virginia and towing them into Narragansett Bay. There they will be docked and prepared for sinking at a site somewhere within the waters of Rhode Island or Block Island Sound.
USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg Robert Brousseau, founder of New England Ships2Reefs (NES2R), Inc has teamed with Joe Weatherby, from ReefMakers, Inc who operates in New Jersey and Florida. Together they have started promoting this first-ever project in RI. ReefMakers played a key role in the preparation and deployment of the Hoyt S. Vandenberg off the coast of Key West, Florida in 2009. In an interview, Brousseau said, “I want to sink a ship here in RI. Joe
(Weatherby) has actually made it happen elsewhere. That’s why I chose him to help me navigate the political, financial and environmental hurdles we expect to encounter.” Brousseau and NES2R are beginning the process of seeking out and engaging all stakeholders who have an interest in the effort. Everyone from fishermen to educators to regulators will be asked to offer input into the project in order to extract the maximum possible benefit for the environment and the citizens of Rhode Island. When asked about similar projects undertaken in states out side of New England, Weatherby is quick to point out that a number of states including Florida, New Jersey and California all have aggressive reefing efforts that have shown big pay offs in terms of job creation and documented benefits to the marine eco system. Asked if RI could expect similar benefit pay-offs in the often cold waters of New England, Brousseau said that the Yukon, a decommissioned Canadian warship sent to the bottom in San Diego, CA is also in a cold water environment. That project continues to pay off in terms of increased biomass and dollars. He also noted that all communities with ship-to-reef programs have reported the creation of jobs and sales tax dollars as eco-tourists, recreational fishermen and SCUBA divers come from around the world to visit these sites. Weatherby also recalled reported success in places as far afield as Plymouth England, another cold water site of a ship-to-reef project. There, project organizers report approximately $38 million (USD) in gross
commerce with over 42,000 divers having visited the ex-HMS Scylla. That represents over 7,000 dive boat trips since 2004. The process of identifying and transferring custody of a vessel coupled with preparing it to conform to EPA Best Management Standards and then sinking it in RI waters is expected to take approximately 3 years. The bulk of the funds contracted out will cover the cost of transport and will go toward pier services and laborers used for cleaning up hazardous materials including oils, fuels and PCB’s found in items like electronic equipment. Engineers will also be hired to study ship drawings and open holes in the ship. These openings are essential for the even-keeled sinking of the vessel to ensure an upright settling on the ocean floor. Said Weatherby, “The real significance in terms of job creation and tourism will come after the ship is sent to the bottom”. After ‘Sink-Day’, there are no further costs to the project or the State. In fact, the State can expect to receive revenue from the site for the next 100 years!” Asked why he is so passionate about the project, Brousseau explained; “I see two problems facing our fellow Rhode Islanders today that this effort will help improve. The first is our high unemployment rate and sluggish economy. The second problem is an environmental one. This project will focus world-wide media attention on RI, create jobs right here at home and the ship will provide a breeding ground for new marine life, both plant and animal, for years to come.” “My entire adult life has revolved around all things in and of the sea. I am fascinated by anything that involves the
majesty of our oceans.” A 28 year retired Navy veteran, Brousseau is currently employed by the US Navy as a research engineer. He also founded Simply Scuba, LLC, another RI based business, where he teaches SCUBA diving to the public. He is also the New England Course Director for the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA). “I love to teach”, says Brousseau. “Nothing is more gratifying than having the ability to show people the beauty hidden beneath the waves and experience the adventure offered by the underwater realm. Teaching folks with disabilities is especially wonderful when I can help someone bound to a wheelchair on land, fly in the gravity free environment of the open sea. Beyond that, as a life long resident of RI, I recognize that the people of this state need help (job creation). This project is a win-win for everyone involved – it’s good for the economy and the ecology of RI.” In closing, both Brousseau and Weatherby said they were marveled by the leadership and foresight shown by the bills sponsors and by everyone they encountered during recent visits to the Statehouse. “Without exception, everyone we have spoken to over recent weeks have been gracious and supportive.” Brousseau added, “From Secretary of State Mollis, DEM Director Dr. Sullivan and all of the Senators who gave of their time for us to speak with them, everyone has shown great interest. We have been very honored by the reception we have received.” — Author, Jesse Rathier is currently enrolled as a Business Management student at the Providence campus of Johnson and Wales University.
Put John’s 25 years of experience along with Maffe’s Tax, Estate & Retirement Planning services to work for you today. John C. Edes, LUTCF
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Office: 401-828-2090x305 Cell: 401-529-5110 www.maffefinancialgroup.com
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105 Railroad Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island 401-232-1660 l 800-427-1660 To See How This Stimulus Package Works Visit
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APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 15
William J. Hawkins, III, CRPC® Financial Advisor 100 Westminster Street, Ste 1600 Providence, RI 02903 401-459-6824 Investment and Insurance Products:
u NOT FDIC Insured
u NO Bank Guarantee
u MAY Lose Value
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0409-1260 [74124-v1]
Professor,
Maselli Law
Scott Molloy, Ph.D.
Associates, P.C.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Schmidt Labor Research Center Hart House 36 Upper College Road
· Zoning, Planning & Land Use · Real Estate Law · Business & Corporate Law · Wills, Estates & Trusts
office 401.874.2239 Kingston, Rhode Island 02881 fax 401.874.2954 home 401.782.3614
· Personal Injury & General Litigation · Landlord - Tenant & Evictions · Criminal Law · DUI - Breathalyzer Refusals
1417 Douglas Avenue, 2nd Floor, North Providence, RI 02904
email molloy@uri.edu
Phone: 401-490-0455 l Fax: 401-490-045 l www.masellilaw.com
E mail joconnor@gciu.org Fax 202/624-8145 Cell 202/297-2945
Joseph M. O’Conner
Vice President
GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS 25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 A UNION REPRESENTING PROUD UNION PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1918
LOCAL 400
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
Rhode Island Labor History Society www.rilaborhistory.org
A progressive labor union representing more than 80,000 men and women in professional, technical, administrative and associated occupations.
685 Warren Avenue East Providence, RI 02914
SCREEN-WORKS
Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals
I I
I
EMBROIDERY-SCREEN PRINTING SIGNS-PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS UNION LOGO WEAR & U NIFORMS
401.438-5450 www.ifpte400.org
Mark @Montees.net
M
NF ERE CE N
(401) 692 -0304
AMST ERS TE
CO
Mark Montecalvo
GRAPHIC
Fund Raising Athletics
MU
O
Promote Morale
NICATIONS
C
5.11 Tactical Organizational
events
LOCAL 12N LOCAL 12N BUY LOCAL BUY LO CAL
Made in the USA available
Marcia B. Reback President
356 Smith Street Providence, RI 02908-3761 marciarift@aol.com
(401) 273-9800 FAX (401) 331-8815 www.rifthp.org
Joseph A. Montanaro President Gary Glittone Vice President DISTRICT 4 - LOCAL 12431 172 Longfellow Sreet Providence, Rhode Island 02907 p. 401.527.6792 f. 401.284.3677
Steven Kirby Financial Secretary Gordon Huffman Treasurer Mark Boyajian Recording Secretary
Looking for some good news for a change? TM
View past issues at www.commongroundnews.net. Rhode Island's only newspaper unions, or andvisit about unions. ADVERTISE IN COMMON GROUND callfor 831-6123 commongroundnews.net
Page 16
Common Ground
APRIL 2010
A special THANK YOU to the loyal customers of Stop & Shop and the members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 328
The men and women of UFCW Local 328 would like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters of Stop & Shop who stood with us during the recent negotiations with our employer. Whether you took the time to speak with a manager or simply let us know that you cared, your support made all the difference. Stop & Shop knew that our friends and neighbors wanted to see a fair agreement reached as much as we did, and that your business was
something they had to earn. On behalf of all the union employees at Stop & Shop we would like to offer our heartfelt “THANK YOU”. Now that these negotiations have come to a close and these employees have a new three year agreement, we would ask that you continue to spend your shopping dollars with us. Keeping middle class jobs in our neighborhoods is good for the company, workers, and the community.
These employees look forward to continuing to deliver to you the best service and value for your dollar in the grocery industry in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. To all the members of Local 328, a special Thank you for your patience, and support during these difficult negotiations. To all the supporters customers and Employee’s of Stop & Shop THANK YOU!!
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POWER EQUIPMENT SNOWBLOWERS CHAINSAWS LAWN MOWERS RIDING TRACTORS LEAF BLOWERS LINE TRIMMERS Sales and service. Pick up & delivery available. ____
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Who knows your medical information in an emergency? ER Card is an electronic personal health record (ePHR) service
Best of Luck and Continued Success from the Drivers, Maintenance and Supervisory Personnel of ATU Local 618 & 618A in Providence & Newport
providing individuals, doctors and other caregivers with anytime, anywhere access to personal medical information in a secure and confidential manner. With the ER Card, medical professionals have instant access by web, phone or fax to: • current medications
• physical or verbal limitations
• allergies
• emergency contacts
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• advance directives
• primary care physician
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401-822-1181 www.er-card.com
Stephen S. Farrell President – Business Agent
Thomas Cute Vice President
Kevin M. Millea Secretary-Treasurer
Executive Board Bob Davis • Bob Doyle • Paul Harrington • Jim Murphy Frank Plutzner • Peter Ritchie • Vincent Rowan School Bus Divisions Warwick-Jamestown Sherri Cirelli • Laurie Paul • Mary Tarbox
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APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 17
Investing in public transit pays dividends Every dollar that taxpayers invest in public transit generates $6 or more in economic benefits, according to the American Public Transit Association. In 2002, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) concluded that “the situation for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is acute … many scenarios for Rhode Island’s future rely on expanding public transportation, not reducing it. Two public audits have been ordered for the transit agency to investigate any inefficiencies. However, the 2007 independent audit, conducted by Abrams-Cherwony, concluded that compared to its peers, RIPTA was well-managed and that its biggest problem was inadequate state and local funding. When we support public transit we improve public health, reduce global warming, improve air quality, support green jobs, encourage safe walkable communities and protect open space. Public transit is essential to the prosperity of our state’s economy. Just so, we wanted to make you aware of some developments by a statewide coalition that’s advancing a comprehensive legislative agenda to support public transit and the repair
and address our state’s deteriorating roads and bridges. It is called the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC) and includes more than 30 organizations (including, Working RI, RICOSH, ATU 618, SEIU/1199.). The centerpiece of CTC’s proposed legislation package is the creation of a Rhode Island Highway Maintenance and Public Transit Trust Fund, with two new revenue sources. {H - 7734 – Trust Fund bill (Reps. Handy, Ajello, M. Rice, Sullivan} We recognize that this is a difficult time for increased fees, but we believe the proposal is a better answer than tolls, and that the problems can no longer be put off when we realize that interstate trucking can no longer run. Revenue Source Estimated Yield • Increase the biannual auto registration fees by $40 for $23 million. • Impose a petroleum products gross receipts tax of 3 percent for $44 million. • Total: $67 million. Recommended Allocation • 50 percent state road/bridge rehab program -- $33.5 million. • 15 pretcent local roads rehab program -- $10 million.
• 35 public transit investment -$23.5 million. Our revenue generating proposals are taken directly from the Governor’s 2008 Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Funding. Two other bills round out our package. They are: § H - 7497 / S - 2241 is a nonbinding bill memorializing Congress to pass pending federal legislation that would promote affordable transportation choices, economic development, and walkable, vibrant communities (Reps. Walsh, Ferri, Ruggierrio, M. Rice; Sens.
Miller, Levesque, Connors). § S - 2247 – VMT Study Commission to explore the advisability and feasibility of a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax in accordance with the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Funding (Miller, Tassoni, Goodwin, Perry, Connors). — For more information, contact The RI Committee on Occupational Safety & Health 741 Westminster St. Prov RI 02903 (401) 751-2015/jascelenza@ gmail.com.
Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers “Representing Those Who Work the Toughest Beat in the State”
-OFFICERSDave Mellon …….……….………………..President Bob Miller ………….……………1st Vice President Bob Lantagne ..…………………..2nd Vice President Michael Hogan.……………………..…….Treasurer
May Day Breakfast
Ken Rivard
Manny Leander
Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 10am
Bill Bove
Alan Depalo
John Bray
Jeff Golding
Joe Lopes
David Pezza
Mark Vierra
Letizia Signore
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Carlos Oviedo
Sprague Mansion Cranston Street, Cranston
Catered by Culinary Affair Please call Defenders of Animals, Inc., at 401-461-1922 for reservations and details.
IN PROVIDENCE:
408 Broadway Providence, Rhode Island 02902 401•331•1300
IN WASHINGTON:
601 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Suite 900, South Building Washington, DC 20004 202•220•3013
ADV O C A C Y H repr esentation H r esults
John Meehan………………………………Secretary Mike McKenna...……….……….Financial Secretary -EXECUTIVE BOARD-
Justin Pelissey
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Page 18
Common Ground
APRIL 2010
DIRECTORY OF UNION SERVICES BARBERS & HAIRDRESSERS Some barbers and hairdressers are organized by UFCW Local 328. For a list of union barber shops and hairdressers, please contact Local 328 at (401) 861-0300 or www.ufcw328.org
BUILDING TRADES For home and business construction, repairs, or additions please contact one of the following unions for a reputable contractor in your area. For general questions or help please call Build RI at (401) 553-2100 or www.BuildRI.org Boilermakers Local No. 29 (617) 328-8400 Bricklayers Local No.1 (401) 946-9940 Carpenters Local No. 94 (401) 467-7070 Elevator Constructors Local No. 39 (401) 423-2293 Glaziers Local No. 1333 (401) 781-4736 Heat and Frost Insulators Local No. 6 (617) 436-4666 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 99 (401) 946-9900 International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 57 (401) 421-6678 Iron Workers Local Local No. 37 (401) 438-1111 Laborers Local No. 271 (401) 331-9682 Painters & Allied Trades District Council 11 (401) 467-7010 Plaster & Masons Local No. 40 (401) 943-1185 Plumbers & Pipefitters Local No. 51 (401) 943-3033 Rhode Island Building Trades (401) 438-1111 Roofers & Waterproofers Local No. 33 (781) 341-9192 Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 17 (401) 831-7150 Sprinkler Fitters Local No. 676 (860) 666-4447 Teamsters Local No. 251 (401) 434-0454
BUS SERVICES RIPTA Rhode Island Public Transit Authority 265 Melrose Street Providence, RI 02907 (401) 781-9400 www.ripta.com Peter Pan Bus Lines Corporate Headquarters P.O. Box 1776 Springfield, MA 01102-1776 1-800-237-8747 ext. 1209 www.peterpanbus.com
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS To arrange on-site child care coverage for your meetings or conferences, or to locate a DCYF-licensed home-based child care provider in your neighborhood or near your workplace, contact the union of home-based child care providers, District 1199 SEIU, at (401) 457-5099 or www. seiu1199ne.org
DELIVERY SERVICES United Parcel Service The Teamsters Local 251 represent Rhode Island’s UPS workers. For the outlet nearest you, or to schedule a home pick up, please contact UPS at www.ups.com or 1-800-PICK-UPS. United States Postal Service Your local post office is represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the American Postal Workers Union and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (a division of the Laborers Union.) www.usps.com
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Credit union employees are organized by UFCW Local 328. Rhode Island Credit Union www.ricreditunion.org Providence Branch 160 Francis Street Providence, RI 02903 (401) 751-7440 Cranston Branch 570 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 941-8770 Bristol Branch 390 Metacom Avenue Bristol, RI 02809 (401) 253-1313 URI Branch URI Memorial Union Kingston, RI 02881 (401) 789-0253 Dexter Credit Union www.dextercu.org 1 Village Plaza Way North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 934-7600 934 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863 (401) 724-6200 Woodlawn Federal Credit Union 744 Main Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 (401) 728-8300 The Carpenters’ Union represents: First Trade Union Bank www.ftubhb.com 14 Jefferson Park Road Warwick, RI 02888 1-800-242-0272
FUNCTION FACILITIES Biltmore Hotel 11 Dorrance Street Providence, RI 02903 (401) 455-3027 Scott Connery, Director of Catering Brown University 45 Prospect St. Providence, RI 02912 (401) 863-1075 Cynthia Schwartz, Director of University Event Bryant University 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI 02917 (401) 232-6921 Sheila Guay, Director of Events
Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus, Warwick Flanagan Campus, Lincoln Liston Campus, Providence Newport Campus CCRI Downcity (401) 825-2015 Edna Mattson Dunkin Donuts Center 1 LaSalle Square Providence, RI 02903 (401) 331-0700 ext. 150 Robert Sturm, Event Manager Newport Grand 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road Newport, RI 02840 (401) 849-5000 ext. 157 David Rollin Providence College 549 River Avenue Providence, RI 02918 (401) 865-1000 ext. 2070 Victoria Mocshu Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908 (401)456-8022 Kathy Sasso RI Convention Center 1 Sabin Street Providence, RI 02903 (401)-458-6002 Antonia Anthony, Director of Event Services Roger Williams Park Casino 1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02905 (401) 785-9450 ext. 240 Lisa Gonzales, Casino Event Planner Roger Williams University 1 Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809 (401) 253-1040 ext. 3793 Allison Chase-Padula Twin River 1600 Louisquisset Pike Lincoln, RI 02865 (401) 723-3200 ext. 8497 Alana Barts University of Rhode Island Kingston, Alton Jones Campus Providence Campus (401) 874-2214 Sherry Davis The Westin Providence 1 Exchange Street Providence, RI 02903 (401) 598-8245 Alan Swerdolff, Director of Sales and Marketing
HOSPITALS UNAP members work at the following locations: • Fatima Hospital • Greater RI Visiting Nurse Service • Homestead Group • Kent Hospital • Landmark Medical Center • Memorial Hospital • Rehabilitation Hospital of RI • Rhode Island Hospital • RI Community Living & Support Services • RI Dept of Human Services • RI Veterans’ Home • URI, CCRI, RIC Health Services • Westerly Hospital (Professional & Technical) • Westerly Hospital (Service & Maintenance) • Zambarano Hospital SEIU 1199 members work at the following locations: • Butler Hospital • Women & Infants Hospital
JANITORIAL SERVICES Some janitorial companies are organized by SEIU Local 615. For a list of unionized janitorial services, contact the Local 615 office at (401) 521-6150 or visit their website at www.seiu615.org.
NEWSPAPERS Providence Journal www.projo.com Subscribe (401) 277-7600 Pawtucket Times www.pawtuckettimes.com Subscribe (401) 722-4000 Woonsocket Call www.woonsocketcall.com Subscribe (401) 767-8522
NURSING HOMES SEIU 1199 members work at the following locations: • Bannister House • Charlesgate Nursing Center • Country Gardens Skilled Nursing • Crawford Skilled Nursing • Greenville Skilled Nursing • Hopkins Manor • Pawtucket Skilled Nursing • Parkview Associates • United Methodist Health Care Center
PRINTERS, BANNERS & SIGNS American Speedy Printing 635 Arnold Road Coventry, RI 02816 Phone: (401) 823-0090 Fax: (401) 823-0092 B Sign Graphics 27 Libera Street Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 943-6941 Fax: (401) 943-2287 Cogens, Inc. 1 Virginia Avenue Providence, RI 02905 Phone: (401) 421-4436 Fax: (401) 331-9032 Crownmark 109 Fletcher Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 943-1112 Fax: (401) 943-1113 Dorrance Engraving 635 Prospect Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 Phone: (401) 725-0504 Fax: (401) 725-0504 East Coast Screen Printing 22 Partridge Street Providence, RI 02908 Phone: (401) 272-1166 Fax: (401) 272-1167 Federal Signs 135 Dean Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 421-3400 Fax: (401) 351-2233 Financial Innovations 1 Weingeroff Blvd. Cranston, RI 02919 Phone: (401) 467-3170 Fax: (401) 467-3570 JB Foley Printing 1469 Broad Street Providence, RI 02905 Phone: (401) 467-3616 Fax: (401) 467-8309 Lamar Outdoor Advertising 360 Warren Avenue E. Providence, RI 02914 Phone: (401) 421-4504, Fax: (401) 421-4757 Mandeville Sign Co. 676 George Wash. Hwy. Lincoln, RI 02865 Phone: (401) 334-9100 Fax: (401) 334-7799 Regine Printing Co., Inc. 208 Laurel Hill Avenue Providence, RI 02909 Phone: (401) 943-3404 Fax (401) 944-1228
R.I. Litho Prin 1395 Atwoo Johnston, RI 0 Phone: (401 Fax: (401) 4
Screen Work 62 South Ma Woonsocket, Phone: (401)
Sheahan Prin 1 Front Stree Woonsocket, Phone: (401) Fax: (401) 7
Sign Lite, Inc 6 Corporate N. Haven, C Phone: 1-800 Fax: (203) 2
The Sign Sho P.O. Box 229 Westerly, RI 0 Phone: (401)
Tarvis Graph 21 Sabin Str Pawtucket, RI Phone: (401) Fax: (401) 7
PUBLIC S
All public sch organized by Federation of Health Profes National Edu of Rhode Isla
The following are also unio • Laborers • Textron C • Times 2
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APRIL 2010
Common Ground
Page 19
DIRECTORY OF UNION SERVICES R.I. Litho Printing, Inc. 1395 Atwood Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 Phone: (401) 275-0760 Fax: (401) 464-6002 Screen Works, LLC 62 South Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 Phone: (401) 692-0304 Sheahan Printing Corp. 1 Front Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 Phone: (401) 273-7272 Fax: (401) 769-9206 Sign Lite, Inc. 6 Corporate Drive N. Haven, CT 06473 Phone: 1-800-544-0854 Fax: (203) 234-8344 The Sign Shoppe P.O. Box 2296 Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: (401) 364-7442 Tarvis Graphics Inc. 21 Sabin Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 Phone: (401) 726-5530 Fax: (401) 723-6420
PUBLIC SCHOOLS All public school employees are organized by the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals or the National Education Association of Rhode Island. The following Charter Schools are also unionized: • Laborers Charter School • Textron Charter School • Times 2 Charter School
RECYCLING AND TRASH REMOVAL SERVICES Waste Management of Rhode Island (800) 972-4545
SUPERMARKETS Supermarket employees at the stores listed below are members of UFCW Local 328 or UFCW Local 791. Super Stop and Shop • Bristol • Coventry • Cumberland • Johnston • Lincoln • Middletown • Narragansett • Newport • North Kingstown • North Providence • North Smithfield • Pawtucket • Providence • Richmond • Smithfield • Warwick • Westerly Shaw’s Supermarket • Barrington • Garden City • Cranston • East Providence • Riverside • Johnston • Middletown • North Providence • Pawtucket • Providence • Wakefield • Warwick
• Lakewood • Westerly • Woonsocket
Don’t Miss Don’t Miss
Eastside Marketplace • Providence Brigidos IGA • Pascoag • North Scituate Grand Union Family Markets • South Yarmouth • Provincetown • Buzzards Bay • South Yarmouth
An informative, one-hour weekly show highlighting An informative, issues and eventsone-hour affecting weekly show families. highlighting working
C-Town Supermarket • Pawtucket
issues and events affecting working families. TUESDAY 7 P.M.
TELEPHONE, INTERNET & CABLE SERVICES AT&T Wireless 1 (800) 897-7046 www.wireless.att.com Union members recieve special discounts on AT&T wireless service plans. For more infomation to to www.unionplus.org Verizon Verizon, whose employees are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2323, can provide for all of your home and office internet, telephone and cable TV needs through Verizon’s new FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) network.
THURSDAY 8 P.M. TUESDAY 75P.M. SATURDAY P.M. THURSDAY 8 P.M. SATURDAY 5 P.M. COX CHANNEL 14 VERIZON FIOS CHANNEL 33 COX CHANNEL 14 VERIZON FIOS CHANNEL 33
P.O. Box 7613 Warwick, RI 02887 (401) 751-7100 P.O. Box 7613 Warwick, RI 02887 (401) 751-7100
Simply call 1-888-Get FiOS or 1-888-591-6076 or contact IBEW 2323 at (401) 946-2323.
BUY Union Products. USE Union Services. Use yourUnion hard earned money to support hardUnion working union members! Products. Services. BUY USE
Use your hard earned money to support hard working union members!
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Affiliated with the INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS 121 BRIGHTRIDGE AVENUE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02914 www.teamsterslocal251.org EXECUTIVE BOARD Joseph J. Bairos Secretary-Treasurer Principal Executive Officer Kevin Reddy President James Croce Vice President David Demuth Recording Secretary Dennis Mello Trustee Susan Folan Trustee Janet O’Grady Trustee
BUSINESS AGENTS Brian Carroll Kevin Reddy Steven Labrie Joseph Boyajian Douglas Teoli Daniel Manocchio Asst. Business Agents Linda Russolino
Page 20
Common Ground
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ LOCAL UNION 1033 Representing the Public Servants who make government work!
APRIL 2010
Partnering with Rhode Island’s Municipalities to Provide the Most Effective and Cost-efficient Public Employee Benefits
The Rhode Island Public Employees’ Health Services Fund
The Rhode Island Public Employees’ Legal Services Fund
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES = PUBLIC SERVICE
The Rhode Island Public Employees’ Education, Training and Apprenticeship Fund
Cranston Crossing Guards
Town of North Kingstown Lincoln Highway Department Providence Community Action Program Providence School Department Lincoln Public Library Narragansett Bay Commission Town of North Providence City of Providence Narragansett Town Hall North Providence Crossing Guards Lincoln Water Commission Providence Civic Center Authority R.I. Department of Transportation Warwick Crossing Guards North Providence School Department Lincoln Town Hall
DONALD S. IANNAZZI, ESQ.
Business Manager
Donald S. Iannazzi, Esq. Chairman
VICKI A. VIRGILIO President
Vicki A. Virgilio Trustee
Pasquale T. D’Amico Trustee
Sharen Gleckman Trustee
Joseph F. Kenney Trustee
Betty Jackson Liaison
Chris Lombardi Coordinator
Rhode Island’s Union Built, Operated and Staffed Facilities Roger Williams Park Casino
accommodating 50 - 300 (401) 941-5640 (401) 785-9450
city center skating rink
accommodating groups from 10 - 400 (401) 331-5544 ext. 5