(NORTH PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND) - Thirty-five Corrections Workers employed at the maximum-security Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility are now part of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) Family.

Rhode Island Council 94/AFSCME announced Maintenance Workers, Counselors, IT technicians and more have voted in a Secret Ballot Election to join the Council.

“(Council 94) is excited to welcome thirty-five Wyatt Detention Facility Employees as our newest Members, (who) will join the Medical Staff already represented by (Council 94,)” Council President J. Michael Downey said.

Raymond Lafreniere, one of the 35 Workers who voted to Unionize, said: “What we want is a voice and representation that will back us and to level the playing field for all of us who provide the basic services that keep this facility running."

John Burns - an Organizer and Senior Staff Representative at the Council, said the Workers have “now joined a strong, Democratic Union that will help make their voice heard in the workplace.” 

The 35 Staffers saw the difference the Union made to the Medical Staff and decided to also affiliate with Council 94.

Council 94 represents more than 4,000 State Employees, 4,000 Municipal Employees, 300 Private Sector Employees and 2,500 Retirees.

The Wyatt Detention Facility, located in Central Falls, houses up to 730 adult males and up to 40 adult female detainees.

About 85,000 Corrections Employees around the country are building power through AFSCME as they fight for better pay and benefits, safer workplaces and to uphold the standard of professionalism.

That includes 62,000 Corrections Officers (COs) and 23,000 non-CO Staff working in maximum- and minimum-security facilities, state prisons and county jails. 

To Directly Access This Labor Organizing Story, Go To: AFSCME Rhode Island welcomes 35 corrections employees | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Photo Credit: Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility Facebook Page