In a unanimous vote, the Board of Governors For Higher Education of Rhode Island extended in-state tuition rates for residents to attend public colleges and universities in Rhode Island, regardless of their legal status.  To benefit from this decision, residents must meet the following:

1)     Attended high school in Rhode Island for at least 3 years

2)     Graduated from a Rhode Island high school or received an equivalent degree

3)     Will seek legal status in the US as soon as she or he is eligible

This change in policy means that higher education will be attainable to more undocumented students; for example, attending the University of Rhode Island will annually cost $9,824 compared to $25,912 for out-of-state students.

Juliana Romero, co-founder and active member of IDEAS for New England, one of the organizations that advocated for this policy change, commented, “Nothing is impossible! We fought for our dream to go to school! At the end of the day we all stood together, got hit with some haters (specifically ignorance and racism), but we won so it was worth it! Always have faith.”

Allowing Rhode Islanders to

Continue reading Rhode Island Passes In-state Tuition for Undocumented Students

On November 7, 2009, the Westin Providence fired three housemen, Alfred Palumbo, Mike Crone, and Jose Minaya, in retaliation for their legally protected union protest.  The Westin refused appeals from the Union and community leaders to reinstate them.  The workers’ union, UNITE HERE Local 217,  filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which investigated the case for four months.

On Wednesday, February 24, the NLRB Regional Director in Boston gave notice that the Federal Government has authorized a civil prosecution of the Westin Providence for the firings.

In order to avoid further prosecution, the Westin Providence suddenly offered all three workers reinstatement at the hotel to their previous jobs, pay and benefits.  Once the NLRB authorizes a complaint, the Westin will be required to make all three workers whole for lost back pay and benefits, and post an official Federal notice throughout the Hotel in order to avoid a trial before a federal

Continue reading Fired Westin Workers in Providence, RI Win Their Jobs Back After NLRB Action

On December 2, RI Jobs with Justice joined a demonstration organized by member organization American Friends Service Committee to oppose the escalation of troops in Afghanistan and to demand Health Care NOT Warfare and Good Jobs not Bombs!  RI JwJ highlighted how we can’t afford the financial or human costs of war in Afghanistan and called for resources for job creation, green jobs, and community needs.

The Providence Journal has video from the rally here.

Camilo Viveiros is Director of Rhode Island Jobs with Justice.

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. 

Last 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

Continue reading Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence

On October 1st, surrounded by 100+ supporters of the measure from UNITE HERE Local 217 and Jobs with Justice, Providence became the first city to act since the scandal provoked by the firing of the “Hyatt 100” in Boston.  These 100 housekeepers were left with no jobs when three Boston Hyatt Hotels replaced them in with low-wage subcontractors.

The Providence City Council, taking the first of two required votes, voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District.  The Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district 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.

Councilman Solomon introduced the legislation:

I am proud to be working to protect Providence workers from Hyatt-style layoffs. Our cities have invested massive public resources to build the tourism industry. In

Continue reading Providence City Council Votes to Protect Against Hyatt-style Subcontracting

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More 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.

Continue reading RI JwJ Rallies for Health Care

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