Rhode Island Set to Slash Pensions for Retired, Current State Workers

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is planning to sign a bill this week to slash pensions promised to retired and current state workers. The changes will impact 66,000 active and retired public workers. Local labor leader J. Michael Downey criticized the move saying, "Today our elected officials have unwisely chosen to steal the retirement security of Rhode Island's public employees." Downey is president of Rhode Island Council 94, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is planning to sign a bill this week to slash pensions promised to retired and current state workers. The changes will impact 66,000 active and retired public workers. Local labor leader J. Michael Downey criticized the move saying, "Today our elected officials have unwisely chosen to steal the retirement security of Rhode Island's public employees." Downey is president of Rhode Island Council 94, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.