In a quest for change, facilities workers from Bryant University voted this month to affiliate with Rhode Island Council 94-AFSCME.
J. Michael Downey, president of Council 94, said, “Council 94 is excited to welcome the 84 Bryant University facilities employees as our newest members. The Bryant facilities employees have now joined forces with higher education employees at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.”
After several decades of representation by an independent union, the workers decided on Feb. 7 it was time for change and looked for a union with more resources to support their fight for improvements to their working conditions. An overwhelming majority of Bryant University’s workers felt AFSCME – which has more than 60,000 members working at colleges and universities across the United States – would provide the expertise needed to move their union in a new, bold direction.
“Our members wanted to join a strong, democratic union that will allow our voice to be heard more clearly in the workplace,” said Derek Munschy, a carpenter at the Smithfield institution. “Council 94’s assistance in negotiation, contract administration and legal representation will make our union a stronger advocate to improve the quality of services and the wages and benefits of facilities employees at Bryant University.”
This new local is comprised of maintenance workers, housekeepers, locksmiths, grounds workers, custodians and truck drivers, whose hard work constitutes the backbone of Bryant University.
Council 94 represents over 4,000 state employees, 4,000 municipal employees and 2,500 retirees.