Greetings,

Here's two important actions you can take this week!

The House is voting this week on binding arbitration. Passing binding arbitration works for students, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers. Take action today and send a message to your representative and the Leadership of the House of Representatives.

It's time for our legislators to Deliver on Health Care. How much longer will Americans need to wait before Congress acts? On Tuesday, October 20th, we're sending our message loud and clear - that it's time to deliver on health care. Call 1-800-603-SEIU to contact your Congressperson On October 20th at 330pm we will have an action to deliver our message for Health Care at the Federal Building One Exchange Terrace across from Kennedy Plaza, Providence.

Thank you,
Rhode Island Jobs with Justice

Subject: Pass Binding Arbitration for Teachers

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I write today asking for your support to establish a process of binding arbitration to end contract disputes for classroom teachers in Rhode Island. Unlike police officers, fire fighters, and correctional officers, current law does not provide a conclusion to the collective bargaining process for teachers. By passing binding arbitration we can fix that problem and change a status quo that doesn't work for students, teachers, administrators, or taxpayers.

Our neighboring state of Connecticut passed a binding arbitration law that works for all stakeholders. In Connecticut arbitration is rarely used because the law encourages both sides to negotiate a fair contract. When cases do proceed to arbitration, awards are evenly split with approximately 52% of the awards favoring school committees and 48% favoring teacher negotiating teams. All relevant laws, including property tax caps, must be taken into account by neutral arbitrators. It is a system that works.

Classroom teachers are important parts of every community in Rhode Island. By supporting binding arbitration teachers can fully focus on teaching and learning instead of contract deadlines. This is why 70% of Rhode Islanders in a recent poll support binding arbitration for classroom teachers. Please vote in favor of binding arbitration for classroom teachers.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]