Warwick Independent School Employees (WISE) Re-affiliates with Rhode Island Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

Wed, 12/15/2010 - 4:06pm

 

North Providence - Rhode Island Council 94, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO announced that the Warwick Independent School Employees has voted to join the state's largest public employee union.

Cherie Nickerson, president of WISE, explained, “The membership of  WISE voted overwhelmingly to join RI Council 94 because the knowledge, experience and strength of AFSCME is exactly what our union needs as we face difficult contract and workplace issues.” 

 

WISE members include custodians, maintenance, bus drivers, bus aides, teacher assistants and clerical personnel who keep the Warwick schools functioning efficiently and effectively every day.

The final vote count was 357 to 5 in favor of joining RI Council 94.  The next step is for the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board to certify the results of the 451 person bargaining unit.

RI Council 94, representing over 3,500 municipal and school employees and 4,000 state employees, has contracts with 41 employers, including a collective bargaining agreement that covers nearly 300 workers employed by the City of Warwick.

J. Michael Downey, President of RI Council 94, stated, “I welcome the newest members to AFSCME. The combination of WISE and RI Council 94 will make our two unions stronger by giving our members a concerted voice in the workplace, in the State house and in municipalities.  RI Council 94 looks forward to working with our brothers and sisters in WISE as we confront the challenges of being public workers in a society that increasingly devalues the services we provide and the members who work very hard to fulfill their responsibilities to our communities.”