McKee Defends Plan on Encouraging Workers to Return to Work, Restaurateur Says Plan Is Flawed

McKee Defends Plan on Encouraging Workers to Return to Work, Restaurateur Says Plan Is Flawed

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has made his political bones being the voice for Rhode Island’s small businesses, but the alliance is beginning to fray.

Last week, David Levesque, the owner of the Brewed Awakening chain and leader of a large group of Rhode Island restaurants, alleged that McKee is refusing to support the group’s legislation that would push workers off unemployment and back to work.

“We worked hard trying to get this bill passed so we could get people off unemployment. The Governor is not going to support our bill, he made this very clear,” Levesque wrote in an email to approximately 30 restaurant owners.

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“The Governor has walked away from us in my opinion, so I’m walking away from him,” wrote Levesque. 

 

McKee Defends Decision, Small Business Leader Say Plan Is Flawed

McKee’s office defends his policies. “The Administration has heard employers’ hiring concerns and we’re doing something about it. Our Department of Labor and Training worked closely with members of the House and the Senate to draft legislation that will permit UI claimants to work more hours, earn more, keep more of what they earn and stay connected to the UI system (and the federal bonus payment: $300),” said his office in a statement.”

“This legislation, which DLT Director Matt Weldon testified in support of, is a win-win for workers and businesses: it would allow people to earn more, keep more, and stay attached to the UI system. And it would help businesses find the talent they need,” added McKee’s office. “The Governor also announced Thursday that he is reinstating the requirement that UI claimants seek work beginning May 23.”

But, Levesque says the McKee schedule is devastating for the restaurant industry and will do little to improve the situation

“The restaurant community can't afford to wait 2 weeks for DLT to start enforcing rules and regulations. Listen to their words, in 2 weeks you will be required to look for a job, apply for a job. DLT says you hold on to the paperwork and if we call you.  Listen this is going to take way too long, DLT can't answer their phones now, they're backed up, but for some reason, they're going to have control over enforcing one to return to work,” said Levesque.

“We have been told since day one we just need a few weeks to slow the curve, in 2 weeks we will have a pause for 2 weeks and now in 2 weeks, we will start enforcing DLT rules. How much of this BS are we all going to take. Restaurants needed workers 2 weeks ago -- that means Governor McKee's team is 6 weeks behind by the time DLT is even able to hold anyone accountable,” said Levesque. 

“We had a practical solution we even compromised with DLT we took out part-time verbiage and capped to 10,000 workers, but they did not want to run with it, and the RIHA had no desire to accept it either. Bill 6249 won't be a big player in helping this problem,” he added.