50 Laid Off in Warwick - Employee Union Accuses Mayor of "Bullying and Politics"

50 Laid Off in Warwick - Employee Union Accuses Mayor of "Bullying and Politics"

The labor union representing 50 employees laid off by the City of Warwick this week is accusing the city of "politics and bullying" in labor negotiations. 

Walter Hartley, President of Local 1651, released the following statement.

“The 50 layoffs announced by Mayor Solomon is a more complicated situation than the administration portrayed. The administration presented a take it or leave it offer to the members and pushed for an immediate answer.   

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Local 1651 asked for financial information; whether other bargaining units were asked for concessions; and presented some alternatives. As part of the dialogue the union and management agreed to leave 13 positions unfilled.  Unfortunately, the administration refused to provide additional information or engage in good faith bargaining. Nine days after the Administration made their demand our members voted to reject the administration’s request. 

Local 1651 has made sacrifices to help the City during previous fiscal crises. The administration’s failure to communicate requested information made the members suspicious. Politics and bullying have no place during a pandemic.”

I urge the Mayor to return to the table and continue negotiations. Our members are now engaged in an ongoing internal dialogue. Local 1651 maintains that laying off 50 dedicated and hard-working city employees, and adding to the number of unemployed Rhode Islanders, can be avoided with a mutually agreeable solution."