Letter: ‘Evergreen’ bill restores balance between unions and employers

Posted 5/16/19

I am writing in response to Eric Hall’s April 29 letter in the Providence Journal (“Blatant Conflicts of Interest Permitted in RI”).

The “Evergreen” legislation …

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Letter: ‘Evergreen’ bill restores balance between unions and employers

Posted

I am writing in response to Eric Hall’s April 29 letter in the Providence Journal (“Blatant Conflicts of Interest Permitted in RI”).

The “Evergreen” legislation that Mr. Hall refers to contains compromises based on Gov. Gina Raimondo’s veto message in 2017. Only wages and benefits would continue under the expired contract while both sides bargain in good faith.

The R.I. Labor Relations Act states: “It is in the public interest that equality of bargaining power be established and maintained.” It is illegal under Rhode Island law for public sector unions to refuse to bargain with the employer or comply with statutory impasse procedures. Teachers unions do not have access to binding arbitration on financial matters, as police, fire and correctional officer unions do.

This legislation restores the balance of power between unions and employers that had existed for decades but was overturned in favor of management in East Providence. Students are also affected by labor disputes involving teachers and their districts.

I am confident that this legislation is a fair compromise that will avoid labor disputes that have the potential to disrupt the education of our students.

Mr. Hall incorrectly states that I am a current member of a teacher’s union. I retired from the profession in 2010. I do not have family members who are teachers (or firefighters or police, for that matter) who could benefit from contract legislation proposed in the House of Representatives.

Susan R. Donovan
Bristol/Portsmouth
State Rep. District 69

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