Passage of a law requiring binding arbitration to resolve teacher contract disputes would have devastating consequences for the City of East Providence and its taxpayers. East Providence provides the best evidence that binding arbitration will result in further increases in our already unaffordable and unsustainable teacher contract costs.
Our experience confirms that binding arbitration would force illegal deficit spending that will lead to the financial ruin of many communities, bring yet others to the brink of financial collapse, and impose severe financial hardships on working families and senior citizens. After negotiations reached deadlock and the parties completed arbitration, an arbitration panel issued a non-binding decision that required unlawful deficit spending in East Providence.
The city and its taxpayers were spared the disastrous consequences of this arbitration decision only because the school committee had the courage and good judgment to exercise its legal rights to reject the non-binding decision and to implement the cost-saving reforms of teacher pay and benefits required by law to balance its budget.
The East Providence School Committee would not have been able to take these urgently-needed actions if a binding arbitration law had been on the books. A binding arbitration law would have empowered unelected, unaccountable arbitrators to prevent our elected school committee from taking the actions necessary to balance its budget and save our city from financial collapse.
The actions taken by the East Providence School committee were consistent with the laws established by the people through our elected representatives. These actions also reflected the will of the people as expressed in the last election and in our continued overwhelming support of the school committee’s decision.
There could be no more direct, dangerous, and outrageous assault on democracy and the rights of the people than by letting this legislation pass. Binding arbitration is both undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Make no mistake – the unbalanced public employee contract negotiation process in Rhode Island that so heavily favors union interests over the public interest is the primary cause of the unsustainable teacher contract costs that have brought the City of East Providence to the brink of financial collapse.
The General Assembly should be reforming our public employee contract negotiation laws to restore a fair and reasonable balance between the general public interest and narrow public sector union special interests.
The General Assembly must reject the misinformation as well as the manipulative, false arguments presented by union leaders.
It is not true that there is no final dispute resolution procedure under current law. Such a procedure exists and the East Providence School Committee used it lawfully. It is not true as the unions say that the current dispute between union leaders and the school committee is tearing the district apart. The truth is that the district has probably never been as well led, managed, and run as it is now under the new administration brought in by the school committee.
Let me close by presenting a question to our elected representatives about a recent e-mail they received from Bob Walsh, executive director of NEARI claiming that more than half of them had promised to support binding arbitration.
If this is true, how do our representatives reconcile their commitments to Mr. Walsh with the fact that 35 town councils, almost all school committees, and good government groups unanimously oppose binding arbitration?
How can they justify supporting it in the face of such universal opposition from elected officials and concerned citizens across the state?
East Providence residents should put these questions to all of our elected representatives in the General Assembly and remember their answers on Election Day. Voters in Riverside especially should ask this question of Representative Jack Savage who has been a strong supporter of binding arbitration.
Sadly enough, a recent editorial column written by Representative Savage parrots the talking points on binding arbitration distributed by the largest teachers’ union in the state, literally quoting the document word for word on more than one occasion. If this doesn’t cause all of us to pause to ask just whose interests are really being represented by Mr. Savage and his colleagues in the General Assembly, then nothing will.
JACK "THE POLITICAL HACK" SAVAGE MUST BE VOTED OUT !
HE IS SUPPORTED BY THE TEACHERS AND THEIR UNION
HE CLAIMS HE IS A REPUBLICAN,.................. HE IS NOT!
REMEMBER, ...................IF YOU WANT TO PAY HIGHER TAXES, VOTE FOR POLITCIANS SUPPORTED BY THE UNIONS.
"I have no problem whatsoever paying a little more in taxes. It's a small price to pay for the quality of life we enjoy."
THIS RECENT QUOTE SHOWN ABOVE IS FROM A RABID UNION BLOGGER NAMED "union-teacher"
HE OBVIOUSLY THINKS ITS OKAY TO PAY MORE TAXES IN THE MOST "TAXED OUT" STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
THEREFORE PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
1) UNIONS FIGHT AND SQUEEZE FOR MORE MONEY FOR THEIR MEMBERS (TEACHERS UNION - POLICE UNION - FIREMENS UNION)
2) WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM WHICH GOES TO THESE GREEDY UNIONS?
3) IT COMES FROM THE ANNUAL TAXES PAID BY THE HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS
4) IF YOU WANT TO PAY HIGHER ANNUAL TAXES, THEN SUPPORT THE UNIONS AND THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES THAT THEY SUPPORT AND WANT ELECTED. YOU WILL THEN PAY HIGHER TAXES.
I GUARANTEE YOU THAT!
5) IT'S REALLY JUST THAT SIMPLE !
Ahh improveEP plaes dont use my name in vain My Real name is jack and savages is john (nick name Jack) LOL
Representative Savage is one of those most distinguished and respected legislators in the state. The state house could use more legislators such as Representative Savage, as opposed to loudmouth, self serving, grandstanding blowhards like that idiot Gablinske.
JACK "THE POLITICAL HACK" SAVAGE MUST BE VOTED OUT !
"improveEP" is going to be looking for a new job next year, when the 3 stooges, a.k.a. Larisa, Cusack, and Perry are voted out. I'm suggesting flipping burgers at McDonalds, or greeter at Wal-Mart. Seems to be the only thing "improveEP" is qualified for.
So refreshing to get "just the facts" - something we never get from union leaders and union cheerleaders.
If you call this moron Murphy's letter "just the facts", you must be pretty naive-this is just more useless drivel from one of Larisa's lackeys-nothing but total garbage.
JACK "THE POLITICAL HACK" SAVAGE MUST BE VOTED OUT !
TWO SUREFIRE WAYS TO SAVE MONEY:
1) PUT MONEY IN YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT REGULARLY AND CONSISTANTLY.
2) VOTE ALL UNION-SUPPORTER POLITICIANS OUT OF OFFICE, THE SOONER, THE BETTER>
"I have no problem whatsoever paying a little more in taxes. It's a small price to pay for the quality of life we enjoy."
THIS RECENT QUOTE SHOWN ABOVE IS FROM A RABID UNION BLOGGER NAMED "union-teacher"
HE OBVIOUSLY THINKS ITS OKAY TO PAY MORE TAXES IN THE MOST "TAXED OUT" STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
THEREFORE PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
1) UNIONS FIGHT AND SQUEEZE FOR MORE MONEY FOR THEIR MEMBERS (TEACHERS UNION - POLICE UNION - FIREMENS UNION)
2) WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM WHICH GOES TO THESE GREEDY UNIONS?
3) IT COMES FROM THE ANNUAL TAXES PAID BY THE HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS
4) IF YOU WANT TO PAY HIGHER ANNUAL TAXES, THEN SUPPORT THE UNIONS AND THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES THAT THEY SUPPORT AND WANT ELECTED. YOU WILL THEN PAY HIGHER TAXES.
I GUARANTEE YOU THAT!
5) IT'S REALLY JUST THAT SIMPLE !
Looks like "improveEP" is working overtime today churning out the misinformation on orders of Slow Joe Larisa. Don't wear yourself out "improveEP"-Larisa, Cusack, and Perry still need their shoes shined for the big republican love fest tonight in Riverside.
So, protecting the democratic process by limiting budgetary decisions to elected officials is drivel??!
So, elliminatiung collective bargaining preserves the democratic process???
ELIMINATE UNIONS, THEN WE WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE COLLECTIVE-BARGAINING QUESTION !
"improveEP" says "eliminate unions"-why is that, so Larisa and Carcieri can hire and promote more of their political hacks in city hall and the school department?
"OUR EXPERIENCE"??? What experience?
"would force illegle deficit spending" Again What experience???
The arbitrator's decision in the East Providence would not have forced illegal deficit spending! ONLY the school committee not budgeting adequate funds, or the city council not allocating sufecient funds would "Force" illegal deficit spending.
"Binding Arbitration is un-constitutional" Really??? We have it for police and fire! Many states including Ohio and Connecticuit have binding arbitration for teacher contracts.
I guess expert Murphy thinks we are all breaking the U.S. Constitution!
"his pay and benefits were definitely sub-standard when compared with state and municipal workers-in my opinion, he made a rather unwise career choice going with federal as opposed to state (Rhode Island) or municipal (East Providence) employment."
ANOTHER QUOTE BY 'union-teacher"
FOLKS, DOES THIS TELL YOU THE STORY REGARDING THE "UNION" OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
GET RID OF ALL UNION SUPPORTERS AND UNION ENDORSED POLITICIANS, THE SOONER THE BETTER.
YOU AIN'T EVER GONNA BEAT US"
BECAUSE "US" IS NOW THE TAXPAYERS
BECAUSE "US" IS THE "FED-UP" GENERAL PUBLIC
Public sector unions and their leadershp are NOT duly elected officials, direct results of our democratic process; so let's not play word games. It is simple: arbitrators, regardless of which side they represent, are not elected officials and should NOT have the privilege of determining tax burden.
Deficit spending: seems some on this site believe the way out of deficit spending is to just raise taxes. The right answer is to control expenses. Unless of course we all could have access to a printing press and we can just print mo' money- then we'll all be all set!
JACK "THE POLITICAL HACK" SAVAGE MUST BE VOTED OUT !
HE IS SUPPORTED BY THE TEACHERS AND THEIR UNION
HE CLAIMS HE IS A REPUBLICAN,.................. HE IS NOT!
REMEMBER, ...................IF YOU WANT TO PAY HIGHER TAXES, VOTE FOR POLITCIANS SUPPORTED BY THE UNIONS.
"his pay and benefits were definitely sub-standard when compared with state and municipal workers-in my opinion, he made a rather unwise career choice going with federal as opposed to state (Rhode Island) or municipal (East Providence) employment."
ANOTHER QUOTE BY 'union-teacher"
FOLKS, DOES THIS TELL YOU THE STORY REGARDING THE "UNION" OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
GET RID OF ALL UNION SUPPORTERS AND UNION ENDORSED POLITICIANS, THE SOONER THE BETTER.
THE RHODE ISLAND STATEWIDE COALITION JOIN US AND LEND A HAND www.statewidecoalition.com CHANGE WE CAN COUNT ON
GET RID OF REP. JACK "THE HACK" SAVAGE THE TEACHERS UNION SUPPORTER
"YOU AIN'T EVER GONNA BEAT US"
BECAUSE "US" IS NOW THE TAXPAYERS
BECAUSE "US" IS THE "FED-UP" GENERAL PUBLIC
THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED BY A UNION AGITATOR:
"Fortunately next year's elections are right around the corner, and a new broom will be coming in to sweep this idiot Larisa and his small band of cronies out the door."
MY QUESTION IS: WHO IS YOUR "NEW BROOM?"
IS IT "PAT DOWN" PAUL MOURA, THE UNION BAD BOY AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHOSE BEHAVIOR EMBARRASSES EVERYBODY AROUND HIM?
IS THAT YOUR "NEW BROOM?"
GOOD LUCK!
Binding arbitration is not the way to go. You cannot shake down a community and tell them what they will pay in taxes, when it's unaffordable. Had the arbitration we had with the teachers union last year been binding, we would be riding the recievership bus now.
As usual, UT keeps up with the immature name calling. If this is what is teaching our young, be afraid, be very afraid.
UT and friends are just upset that they don't pull the puppet strings, and the majority of the council and school committee are commited to the students and taxpayers in East Providence in giving them services and educational opportunites without taking every last dollar out of their pocket.
Having watched the city council meeting the other night, I will go one step further ahdn improveEP. Eliminate our East Providence senate and house representative. They are a disgrace. Dan DaPonte needs to get his act together. Being investigated by the feds is nothing to be proud of. You need to think before you open your mouth. You were almost in violation of HIPPA laws with your comments on Mr Cusack's family. Noticed you didn't say anything about your friend Paulie Moura though, and how much his kid costs. Stop picking on these poor children. A parents worst nightmare is if their children are ill.
Bill Murphy is a really smart guy. He has a ph.D for those scoring at home. He is a careful researcher, and a really good speaker.
Val Perry, Tony Carcieri and Joe Larisa are independants. The fact the they have the fiscal restraint that Republicans have must really eat at you UT. The feeding frenzy at the expense of the taxpayer is comming to an end. Check their voter history. Stop with the Bagdad Bob mentality in your misinformation union_teacher and friends.
Looks like Carlin and Murphy brainwashed "epratepayer" at last night's union haters love fest at the Kof C. Like I said earlier "epratepayer", you and your cronies should have held it at a phone booth and saved on the hall rental, for the small number of idiots that turned out.
But don't worry "epratepayer", the day of reckoning is right around the corner for Larisa and his small band of political hacks. Next year's council will be minus Larisa, Cusack, and Perry, and "Fat Tony" and the school committee will be next.
The only one I feel bad for is Dan Kinder, because once the new council and school committee fire him, his gravy train will be coming to an end. But don't worry Dan, there's hope-I hear the new council will be looking for a janitor when the turn Larisa Park into a landfill.
There is a big difference between Mr. Moura's child and Mr. Cusacks.
Those of us that know, know the difference!
Mr. Cusack had NO RESPONSE for the underfunded city pension plan that HE OVERSEES!! And you think Sen DaPonte didn't score well with the viewers at home?
And lest we forget, Mr. DaPonte may have been "investigated" BUT he has never been charged! UNLIKE JOEY who was fined by the ethics commission!!
Disgusting, deplorable behavior of ANY adult who resorts to talking about anyone's child specifcally in context of public policy!! You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
Very true "smartenup" Picking on family members of any politician, appointed beaurocrat or individual who is not involved in the issues they are involved in is absurd.
The old days of punishing a whole family because of a parent or ancestor died a long long time ago I.E. Witch trials, spanish inquisition etc.
Perhaps it would not hurt to think about that some. Just a thought.
Jack
THE UNION PEOPLE AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ARE SO DESPARATE .............. THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY WILL STOOP TO THE LOWEST LEVEL POSSIBLE !
GET RID OF THEM AND THE POLITICIANS WHO ALLOW THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DO, STEAL FROM THE TAXPAYERS OF EAST PROVIDENCE!
Tell me "improveEP"-what in the world is "desparate"? Is it some kind of new spelling of the word DESPERATE?
You must have been taught by that political hack Mario Cirillo, "improveEP". No wonder you and your fellow cronies could barely fill a table at the KofC last night.
Seems like "improveEP" is getting pretty "desparate" (spelling butchered for emphasis).
LOL......the moron union guy has run out of rhetoric! Now it's nasty little mouth shows how clever it isn't by picking out typos. What a loser.
Anyway watchCOWARD, I've got to head out-feel free to stop by my house for drinks tonight-I should be home in about 30 minutes. Oh wait a minute-you wouldn't do that-you're too much of a coward.
Oh my! I think it's upset! I believe Eeewwwt is about to make another threat of physical violence. That is just how it sounded last time prior to the State Police paying Eeewwwt, aka Paul Doughty, a visit.
Binding Arbitration in Connectiucuit:
from 2002-2005: there were 410 teacher contracts negotiated, only 10% (42) went to arbitration!
Of the 1,313 Municipal Union Contracts negotiated, only 4 %(57) went to arbitration.
These are HARD FACTS
And prove that BINDING ARBITRATION is not the financial death of our cities and towns.
HISTORICAL SYNOPSIS
OF THE
RHODE ISLAND STATEWIDE COALITION
The Rhode Island Statewide Coalition (RISC) was incorporated on April 15, 2003,
as the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition (RISC).
Response to those Supporting and touting Connecticut’s Binding Arbitration Thought you should read this. Before you want it here.
BINDING ARBITRATION LAWS COULD BANKRUPT CONNECTICUT!
May 11, 2009 Press Conference, hosted by Connecticut State Representative Arthur O’Neill
Mike Guarco who heads the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations
As municipalities struggle to find the money to support their budgets they are faced with the realization that 85% or more of local property taxes are dedicated to supporting union salaries and benefits, which are, in turn, driven by State Binding Arbitration laws. They also struggle with the fact that many management rights, due to Binding Arbitration, have been transferred to the unions. From the unions dictating the size of classrooms, to the control of town cars, to the number of fire stations which must remain open, to the work schedule of police which results in the build up of overtime which is factored into their pensions, neither the Governor nor town officials can control their budgets or the taxes we pay until Binding Arbitration Laws are reformed.
Minimum funding requirements to local Boards of Education are due to sunset in 2009. However, this funding requirement may be extended by the legislature which could explain why many teachers unions have refused to give concessions even though many of their students are witnessing the effect of unemployment in their own households.
When Governor Rell introduced her budget with no tax increase she asked the State Legislature to give her what she and town leaders needed in this economy to control their budgets and their personnel. The Governor asked for reform of State Binding Arbitration Laws. She asked specifically for, and I quote: Suspension of binding arbitration requirements for two years while we confront our economic troubles. At the end of the two-year suspension, I propose that we limit mandatory subjects of binding arbitration to salaries and benefits only.
The Federation believes that many more reforms to Binding Arbitration must be made but we endorse what the Governor has requested as an initial effort toward reform. The Governor also asked the Democrat-controlled State legislature to reject the $86 million contract for 5200 state employees driving some salaries to a 6% increase in wages.
As we stand here today, all three of Governor Rell’s requests have been ignored by the Democrat-controlled legislature. The 5200 member union got their raise and her two proposed reforms to Binding Arbitration have been ignored.
With the Federal government sending Connecticut $745 million for education and millions more for other projects, more government employees will be hired and fall under union contracts. There is an obvious concern when this federal money is depleted as some ask the question - Who will fund these new hires? The answer is simple – local and state taxpayers!
Binding Arbitration laws exert an unhealthy power by government sector unions over taxpayers and those public officials who are not intimidated by the unions and actually want to do the jobs they were elected to do. The Governor attempted to do her job – she produced a no tax increase budget but wanted help from the legislature through binding arbitration reform. Without the two year suspension of binding arbitration laws as requested by the Governor, the end result was the State unions receiving a no layoff guarantee for two years while the state anticipates a near $8 Billion deficit for 2010-11.
Taxpayers, the Governor, and the CEO’s of the 169 towns are held hostage to union contracts. Either the wage increases are paid or our officials are forced to go back to the bargaining table and give the unions what they want. And who wouldn’t want to be guaranteed their job. But this guarantee is at the taxpayers’ expense, many of whom do not have jobs and couldn’t comprehend expecting their employer to give them a no layoff guarantee.
And there is much to fear for our State, our towns and our families, many of whom have lost their jobs, their homes and their savings. The losses in the housing market are now being seen in the commercial market. General Growth Properties, which filed for bankruptcy, owns the Buckland mall and malls throughout the country. As commercial bankruptcies and home foreclosures escalate, the impact on sales taxes, property taxes, state income taxes and other taxes and fees will be significant. The loss of those taxes will come at a time when the greatest cost of government will grow as wage increases will have to be paid to State government sector unions who agreed to limited concessions while receiving a two year no layoff guarantee.
So as the scale tilts with less money coming to the State and the State having to pay more, what will the end result be? Could it be less money going to towns which will, in turn, have to raise property taxes! Or will state officials have to raise taxes if their collection rates cannot be sustained. And if the towns and the state cannot find the money they need to keep the engines of government running, with their greatest cost being state and town employee salaries and benefits governed by binding arbitration, then what?
With the economy continuing to plummet, mounting job losses affecting the payment of state and local taxes, and a two year no-lay off clause for state employees as the state’s debt continues to climb, Connecticut and some of the 169 towns in the State could be brought to the edge of bankruptcy. Ironically, the end result would be dissolution of public sector union contracts.
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations encourages State legislators to reform State Binding Arbitration laws as the Governor has proposed. We ask local elected officials and taxpayers throughout the State to phone or email their state representatives and tell them that without Binding Arbitration reform it will be impossible to limit the growth of government spending and control property taxes.
In conclusion, I would reflect upon the past to demonstrate the effects of Binding Arbitration today. When elected Mayor in 1989, under a strong mayor form of government, I refused the Mayor’s car. I then instructed town personnel to find another means of transportation to and from home as they could no longer rely on town cars. I was grieved by the unions. I thought for sure I would win as this condition was not included within their union contract. But I was wrong. I lost based on Past Practice. If a union is allowed to do something long enough outside the realm of their contract, they have earned the right to continue the practice according to arbiters. The effects of that arbitration decision rendered several years ago are being felt today by towns which are trying to take their taxpayer owned vehicles back from the unions. In order to get them back, they must return to the bargaining table and agree to give the unions something in return.
Jack
Response to taxpayerEP says:
Binding Arbitration in Connectiucuit
The years you a quoting were the beginning and like most things that people think are great at first in the long run as always with the government the taxpayers suffer. As stated by the post above the State of Conneticut is in deep trouble with this now and it will take a herculean effort to reverse it.
It is not proven it does not work long term obviously and I'm sure in this State it would be even worse with the corruption that exist here.
Jack
response to taxpayerEP
I would also point out your so called HARD FACTS are out of date by over 5 years. As you can see by the post above by me it is dated may 11, 2009
Jack
Jack
Jack
The recent list of states in "CODE RED" financial distress did not include Connecticuit!
And if you are getting you talking points from the Ct. Taxpayers Assoc. better check out their website and core beliefs.
Some of their issues make the KKK seem like a progressive and inclusive organization
Response to taxpayerEP
First off the post is from May 11, 2009 Press Conference, hosted by Connecticut State Representative Arthur O’Neill. If he chooses to use the taxpayer organization to support him that’s his business not mine I don’t live in C.T. As stated in the post, The Governor of the State also is demanding reform and believes the binding law will that “will” as in the future bankrupt the State. That to me means we would be ill advised to make the same mistake they have. I just point out that there is a flip side to this and to run head long into a law that will, in this corrupt State of R.I. for sure will never be able to be repealed once it is passed holding the Taxpayers hostage to people who they don’t elect a recipe for disaster and just plain stupid.
As for your “code red” who cares this state is in financial and educational crisis because of corruption and utter stupidity and has been for years now. The education problem in R.I. has nothing to do with money, all studies done everywhere conclude that spending more and more money will not remedy this type of situation, and if you think it does then why are all these states that have same financial problems their education scores so much higher than ours. Wouldn’t it be obvious that the problem is those who do the actual teaching then? Or that only States that have third party individuals decide Union contracts educate better? I doubt that it is either one. There is a proven state of corruption in all levels of this State and it has become a cancer that has killed the taxpayers here period.
You seem to keep saying that by taking the Contract negotiations out of the hands of duly elected people by the taxpayers will save the country. I said it before and will say it again if you have Union leadership and Management Leadership that can’t negotiate fairly then they need to be fired, removed, impeached, recalled, and smacked in the heads. Whatever it takes to get people involved that realize the concern in these contract must and always should be the people they serve, no not the membership of the union or the special interest of the politicians but the people the taxpayer, the children and yes the country as a whole.
Jack
For the first time in years, the municipal unions are not getting every pay raise they ask for.The well is dry, and dusty.Binding arbitration in an attempt to circumvent the process to continue the annual pay increases.The people of RI are starting to understand the price we pay for our apathy.What will we do with our new found knowledge.I hope, you vote out the people who caused this mess, along with any one who support the status quo.Chose your leaders wisely,we have to live with there actions.
LINCOLN R.I. - More than 100 employees will lose their jobs when a Liz Claiborne warehouse in Lincoln is shut down.
The Providence Journal is reporting the distribution center of Liz Claiborne’s jewelry division will close this spring.
The operations will be moved to another state, possibly Ohio.
The company released a statement saying only that it would close the center.
HISTORICAL SYNOPSIS
OF THE
RHODE ISLAND STATEWIDE COALITION
The Rhode Island Statewide Coalition (RISC) was incorporated on April 15, 2003,
as the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition (RISC).
Keeping the shores of Narragansett Bay PRIVATE for only the select few to enjoy..
