Largest RI employees union accepts tentative deal preventing government shutdown, layoffs

RI union accepts tentative deal avoiding layoffs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The largest Rhode Island employees union has accepted a tentative deal that would prevent a government shutdown and mass layoffs.

Council 94 President J. Michael Downey says his union will send the proposal to its roughly 4,000 members for a vote. It’s part of Gov. Don Carcieri’s (kuh-CHEHR’-eez) plan to help close a $68 million budget shortfall.

Friday’s decision comes after union leaders met to debate a provision allowing Carcieri to transfer workers to different jobs.

The agreement would require state workers to lose 12 days of pay during the next two years and delay a scheduled pay raise. In return, Carcieri has promised not to shut down state government or lay off workers.