As city leaders, Providence City Councilors make decisions every week that affect the lives and livelihoods of Providence residents. But standing up for our city’s values goes beyond the routine work of legislating. In a diverse, working city like Providence, councilors’ role as advocates is about more than any one ordinance or resolution – it’s about showing up.
In April, Councilor Justin Roias stood before the Paul Cuffee Board of Trustees to speak in support of educators at Cuffee Upper and Lower Schools who are currently in the process of unionizing. In October and December of 2024, these workers voted overwhelmingly to join the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals. Since then, they have been met with misdirection, legal maneuvering, and disrespect.
City Councilors have long supported the right of Providence workers to unionize, which is why Council recently voted unanimous passage of two resolutions in support of such efforts at Cuffee and Highlander Charter schools – the latest of thirteen total union support resolutions passed this term. To underscore this overwhelmingly support, Councilor Roias hand-delivered the Cuffee resolution to the board on April 24th and spoke in support of the right of all workers to collectively bargain for fair pay and better treatment.
“I’m not here to tell you what to do,” said Roias, appearing before the Cuffee Board. “Only you can make that decision. I’m not here to shame or preach. I’m here to proudly say, on behalf of the City of Providence, that workers have the right to organize in this city. In this city, we stand with educators who want fair wages and conditions, not only for themselves but so that they can, with confidence and dignity, carry out the noble and often thankless task of preparing our next generation to thrive and to lead.”
Under the leadership of Council President Rachel Miller, Providence City Council has been a champion for labor and those seeking to make their voices heard — marching and picketing with labor allies and showing up for working people who want and need the strength of a union to help secure better conditions. From teachers and educators to staff at a local news station, postdoctoral workers at Brown University, and Starbucks employees, this council has demonstrated time and again its committed to supporting and uplifting efforts to organize and unionize.
It should come as no surprise that Council President Miller has led this support. More than twenty years ago, it was her advocacy for workers’ rights that first brought her to Providence. As a former union organizer herself, Miller knows firsthand the challenges, pressures, and threats faced by workers who dare to make themselves heard. This week – as we celebrated International Workers Day – and every week, the City of Providence celebrates that daring and stands with all those seeking to organize for a better workplace and world.
For the educators at Paul Cuffee and Highlander schools, and all those demanding the respect they deserve, Providence City Council will keep showing up to defend this most essential right.
