WPRO News and the Associated Press
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) – An attorney for Newport’s public school teachers says the union is filing an unfair labor practice complaint against the school committee with the state.
Attorney Jennifer Azevedo tells The Newport Daily News the complaint centers on the fact the school committee set the union’s withdrawal of pending grievances as a condition of its most recent contract offer.
She says that is unfair.
Members of the teachers union took a vote of no confidence in superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain last week. They also rejected the proposed labor contract from the school committee and voted to “work to rule” when classes convene Sept. 8.
School Committee Chairwoman Jo Eva Gaines says it is common practice to settle grievances when an agreement is reached by the parties.






