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Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence

Last week we told you about two campaigns that Rhode Island JwJ supported during JwJ’s economic recovery week of action – an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District, and a union contract campaign for food service workers at Brown University where health care was a key issue. 

Yesterday, Brown dining service workers voted to approve a new three-year contract that keeps health care affordable and includes 2% wage increases each year. 

Providence City Council VoteLast night, the Providence City Council took a final vote to approve the Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance.  The ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district, including the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and three hotels, retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.

These victories come as “the most dangerous woman in Rhode Island moves on” and as RI JwJ welcomes a new staff person.  We wish outgoing RI

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RI JwJ Rallies for Health Care

Providence Health Care RallyMore than 200 activists marched from Brown University to Whole Foods in Providence, RI as part of the Jobs with Justice national week of action for a real economic recovery.  RI JwJ joined with SEIU 615, UFCW 328, and other supporters to march for “Affordable Health Care; Nationally and at Home.”

As food service workers negotiate a new contract, Brown University is looking to cuts costs, causing health care coverage to become the primary issue for workers.  The current contract expires October 12, 2009.  Students have already come forward to stand in support of maintaining health care affordability for ALL Brown food service workers and families.  Baird Bream, a senior at Brown and member of the Student Labor Alliance, explained:

We, as students, are standing in support with the Brown Dining Service workers because we think it is unfair for the university to expect their workers to shoulder so much of the burden of this financial crisis. It is particularly unfair to do so when the University has announced that it

Continue reading RI JwJ Rallies for Health Care