NEARI Blog

Keep Using Union Bucks

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Union members are a vital part of every city and town's economic growth. We want to make small businesses aware of how key we are to their stability and encourage everyone of you to support them by buying local. The "Unions Buy Local" campaign is a way to show this; every time you shop, give a union buck in support of the local economy. It is easy and it is up to you to help spread the message.

If you need more bucks, contact your local president or call NEARI at 463-9630.

"Unions Buy Local" Starts Tomorrow!!!

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Join NEARI, AFT and other union members from Mother's Day weekend through Father's Day to show support for local businesses and how much public employees mean to the local economy. Each weekend we will be visiting different communities with cash mop events, but that doesn't prevent you from using "union Bucks" every time you shop anywhere in Rhode Island. Continue to check back here for more information, see your local presidents for the bucks or call NEARI directly, 463-9630.

The three locations for this weekend are; Thursday, 3:30 pm at Imagine Gift Store, 5 Miller Street in Warren, Friday, 3;45 pm at Wakefield Elementary School, 101 High Street and Saturday at 3:30 pm at the Brown Street Parking Lot in Wickford. Bring your "union bucks" and see you on Main Street!!

Treasurer's Pension Meeting for Teachers Today

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Treasurer is holding a scheduled pension meeting for teachers today, 4:30- 6:30 at Martin Middle School in East providence. The next one will be for MERS General Employees on April 5, 4:30- 6:30, at the South Kingstown Town Council Chambers.

Last week, Frank Karpinski, Director of the Retirement Board, did a presentation to NEARI local presidents and has readily agreed to do additional regional and local meetings. Your local president will be discussing these at this Thursday's NEARI Delegate Assembly meeting.

First Pension "Education" Session this Wednesday

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The General Treasurer's first "education" session on the pension changes is this Wednesday, March 7 from 4:30-6:30 at Cranston High School East and is for State Employees.

Higher Education Affordability Hearing

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A hearing on the cost of Higher Education is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 15, 6:30-8 PM at CCRI in Newport; Room 200. The special legislative commission is interested in ideas from students, faculty and staff on ways to make higher education more cost friendly and available to additional Rhode Island students.

If you have ideas but can not attend, forward them to Cheryl at CHawes@nea.org

Things to Do to Start 2012

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

1. Contact your rep and senator and tell them to correct the pension bill and finally pass binding arbitration. Let me say this again to them' "NO TRADE OFF, DO BOTH."

2. Call the Treasurer with your pension questions, she pushed the bill, now she and her staff should be answering the questions. Tell her to come clean on Engage RI so we know that the bidding process on the 403(b) accounts is clean.(?)

3. Cancel your subscription to the Journal.

4. Give no money or support to politicians who voted "yes" on the pension bill. They have a chance to redeem themselves; see number 1 above.

Where's the Treasurer?

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

NEARI released a press release last week and President Purtill was on the Buddy show asking where the General Treasurer was now that the pension bill passed. Purtill said she needs to set up a procedure and meet with members directly so they can get their questions answered. A hot line, as Buddy supported, would certainly be one way. Purtill said that she was in the news it seemed 24 hours a day before passage and now that members have unanswered questions she is not around. "I hope she spends this week setting up an organized, easy process for all teachers, state and municipal employees to get their questions answered? Purtill is directing members to call her office directly with questions.

Regional Meetings This Week

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

NEARI has set up a series of regional meetings for members to discuss the pension changes passed recently in to law and to discuss next steps. (Those were sent to you by an all member email last week.) The meetings this week are as follows;

Tuesday, December 6 at South Kingstown High School, 4:30 PM, Thursday, December 8 at Chariho Middle School, 7 PM, and Friday, December 9 at Ponaganset High School, 4:30 PM.

Pension Vote

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

There will be an all member email shortly regarding last night's pension vote with a much more detailed response on Monday. Understand that there will be a legislative, political and legal response.

Don't let your rep or Senator try to use the argument that they had no choice; they had one. We offered many ways to soften the blow to teachers and state workers while still saving the state billions, but they didn't want to listen. This was all political and the Treasurer's quest for power and to be governor.

Phone Tonight, State House Tomorrow

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

There is still time to call your rep and senator before tomorrow's vote. Tell them to support Rep. Flaherty and Senator Tassoni's amendmends. (See yesterday's blog posting for details.) Come to the State House tomorrow to show support for these and your opposition to the Governor's anD Treasurer's bill. The House meets at 2 and the Senate at 4.

Call the Treasure's Office and ask her to disclose her relationship with EngageRI. How can we be sure there is no conflict of interest when they won't say where the money comes from, 1-2 million dollars?