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Update: Teamsters Local 251 Strike

April 18, 2023

Union Negotiations Concluded

Dear Community,

I am pleased to report our movers, custodians and grounds services staff members in Teamsters Local 251 voted to accept RISD’s proposal today, and we have completed the formal process of ratifying their contract. This concludes our negotiation process and the union’s strike.  

This contract, which is detailed here, reflects and advances our commitment to social equity and inclusion. 

Further, last week, I committed that we would take immediate and long-term action to better embody our values and priorities concerning base wages for our lowest paid employees. This includes the initiative announced in my  April 13 email to increase wages for all of our non-temporary employees who make less than $17.52 per hour. That work is underway, and we will soon begin speaking with the most impacted departments.

In addition, I am convening an advisory group to recommend immediate steps to help address and repair the fissures that the events of the last two weeks deepened and/or created. The group’s members and charge will be announced as soon as they are finalized.  

RISD is an extraordinary place filled with extraordinary people. Thank you again for your passion, dedication and care for each other and for our institution.

Sincerely,

Crystal Williams (she/her)

President

April 16, 2023 Union Update to Community

Dear Community,

Today RISD leadership met with union leadership to discuss the proposal RISD presented on Thursday, April 13.

I’m pleased to report that late this evening the union tentatively agreed to our proposal, and tomorrow they will be presenting the terms to their bargaining unit members for a vote. I will be back in touch afterward to share an update.

Sincerely,

Crystal Williams (she/her)

President

Below please find:

FAQ About Unions and Striking

Section 1: Unions at RISD and the collective bargaining process

A union is a group of employees who formally join together under a recognized labor representative to advance common interests like wages, benefits, schedules and other issues related to working conditions.

RISD has nine unions, which are also referred to as “bargaining units.” Here is a list of RISD’s unions and their current contracts.

Collective bargaining is the process unionized employees use to create an agreement, also called a contract, with an employer about workplace matters, such as wages and benefits. The agreements between the employer and union during negotiations are memorialized in a “Collective Bargaining Agreement” or “CBA.”

Section 2: Strike overview 

A strike is a stoppage of work by a group of employees.

During a strike, RISD will maintain all regular operations. Classes will be held, employees will be expected to report to work and all community members will have access to RISD buildings, resources or any other element of their RISD experience. 

Striking workers will typically gather somewhere visible on campus to express their concerns by, for example, holding signs, handing out leaflets and being vocal. If you feel unsafe during a strike and/or if the strike interferes with your access to RISD buildings, resources or any element of your RISD experience, please contact RISD Public Safety (401 454-6666) immediately.

Yes, classes will be held. During a strike, RISD employees will do everything they can to support students and ensure that students are able to access your education without interruption. 

If you feel unsafe during a strike, please contact RISD Public Safety (401 454-6666) immediately.

Previous Updates

The union representing our movers, custodians and grounds services staff members have been conducting a strike since Monday, April 3. We respect our workers’ right to strike, but are disappointed the union is choosing to do this rather than discussing reasonable wages and benefits with us.

This strike should not impact access to RISD buildings, resources or any other element of community members’ RISD experience. If it does, please contact RISD Public Safety (401 454-6666). Students may also contact Student Affairs (401 454-6600; studentaffairs@risd.edu).

RISD has learned that the union representing our movers, custodians and grounds services staff members will conduct a strike on Monday, April 3. We respect our workers’ right to strike, but are disappointed the union is choosing to do this rather than discussing reasonable wages and benefits with us.

Although negotiations were productive at first, union leaders have been unwilling to work productively with RISD since we began discussing economic issues in October. In addition, we have concerns about the accuracy of the information union leaders are providing to our workers regarding our last offer and the status of negotiations.

 

This week, as in past weeks, union leaders have remained unwilling to productively work with us to create a contract for our movers, custodians and grounds services staff members. In addition, we have concerns about the accuracy of the information union leaders are providing to our workers regarding our last offer and the status of negotiations.

While we haven’t been informed by the union directly, we have received information suggesting that the union plans to strike on campus on Monday (April 3). We respect our workers’ right to strike, but are disappointed the union is choosing to do this rather than discussing reasonable wages and benefits with us.

 

We have just been informed that the union representing our movers, custodians and grounds services staff members plans to hold a strike tomorrow, Thursday, March 23.

RISD's letter to the community: Update on RISD negotiations with General Teamsters Local 251

RISD's letter to the community: Informational picket by General Teamsters Local 251

RISD’s letter to the community: Update on Contract for General Teamsters Local 251

On December 17, 2021, RISD received notice that Teamsters Local 251 is trying to hold an election to become union representatives of all custodians, facilities workers (including grounds/caretakers and movers) and group leaders at RISD. An election will be held by the National Labor Relations Board via mail-in ballot process in the coming weeks, date(s) to be determined soon.

As a follow up, Vice President for Campus Services Jack Silva recently shared the following information with impacted staff to aid in informed decision making on election day:

Open Positions

Working at RISD

Commitment to Social Equity and Inclusion

The RISD Community

Employee Resources

HR Policies

Compensation and Benefits

RISD Compensation Program

Benefits

About HR

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