Rhode Island Credit Union Ratification!
After six negotiation sessions, employees secure another contract that raises wages and offers new and improved benefits for Rhode Island Credit Union employees.
Providence, RI – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local Union 328, which represents over 9,000 workers in a variety of industries in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, announced that the hardworking employees at all Rhode Island Credit Union locations voted unanimously to approve a new contract. The agreement comes after six sessions of bargaining with the company.
The agreement contains major victories that addressed issues many employees were having including:
- Immediate wage increases for all employees of between $1.50-$2.00/hr based on years of service
- Additional wage increases between $2.40-$3.20/hr between now and 2027
- Increase in classification base rates amounting amounting to $1 over the life of the contract
- Additional Increases in wages when moving up in classifications
- Reworking of bereavement leave, including an additional day and expanded coverage
- Lowered the years of service required for additional weeks of vacation
- An entirely new health care plan, joining the UFCW Health Fund, avoiding a 32% increase in healthcare while offering better benefits.
Rhode Island Credit Union employees, represented by UFCW 328 and a committee of employees, sat down with their employer to engage in collective bargaining, with the ultimate goal of addressing starting wages, wage compression, and handling a potential 32% increase in healthcare costs, an issue that came to light during negotiations.
Debbie Diabasio, a long-time employee and Shop Steward, said after the vote, “We went into these negotiations with clear goals in mind, and I think we addressed them perfectly. I’ve been working here for over thirty years and feel like this is one of the best contracts we’ve had, where there is something in there for everybody, no matter how long you’ve worked here. I am so proud of the results of these negotiations and appreciate all the help Sam, Adan, Miguel, Sandra, and Cyndie gave us. We all showed up and stayed Union Strong.”
Wendy Cotrone. an employee of over 35 years and first time committee member, said after the vote, “I joined the committee because I wanted to see for myself what the process was like, and I wanted to be able to speak up for both myself and my coworkers. It was eye-opening going through it, and I’m glad I did. We managed to address our issues with wages and healthcare in a way that everyone was happy with. Our union negotiation team stood up for us in a way that was both respectful but strong.”
