WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers have advanced legislation that would automatically extend expired municipal worker and teacher contracts, even if both sides have yet to reach a new labor agreement. WPRO’s Matt Allen spoke with the sponsor of the bill at length on Wednesday afternoon. Gov. Gina Raimondo vetoed a similar bill in 2017. She says her administration has been working with lawmakers on changes, but it’s unclear if she will sign the bill.
Rep Camille Vella-Wilkinson tells Allen that the bill “is not an evergreen bill…the only elements of the collective bargaining agreement that this bill covers are terms, not conditions. So pay and benefits…not any conditions that would be subject to arbitration. That came as a result of the result of the very comprehensive veto letter we received from the governor 2 years ago. This bill is a significant departure from the one that was originally introduced two years ago.”
Mayors and town administrators on Monday voiced opposition to the bill, arguing it gives unions no incentive to negotiate in difficult times and may potentially lock municipalities into unaffordable wage and benefit pacakges.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION BELOW:
Matt also spoke with Warwick City Council President Steve Merolla about the bill. Listen to that conversation here:
Listen to “Steve Merolla – Warwick City Council President” on Spreaker.
