Warwick in Chaos: Lunch Shaming, Pension Raids, Firefighters Contracts, and the FBI

Saturday, May 11, 2019

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon

So far, 2019 has not been kind to the City of Warwick or newly elected Mayor Joseph Solomon.

Problems and controversies range from union disputes, Warwick schools controversies, and a looming FBI investigation.

And, to make it worse, Warwick is not very "happy."

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According to a recent study completed by WalletHub, Warwick ranks 123rd out of 182 ranked cities for "happiness."

The City of Warwick has been slammed nationally by the media, elected officials and even Hollywood stars for its school lunch payment edict that those students who owed money would get a "sunbutter" sandwich -- not hot lunch.  After local and national outrage, Warwick schools modified its program and received a $50,000 donation from Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya.

"As a parent, this news breaks my heart. For every child, access to naturally nutritious and delicious food should be a right, not a privilege," said Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. "When our children are strong, our families are stronger. And when our families are strong, our communities are stronger. Business can and must do its part to solve the hunger crisis in America and do its part in the communities they call home," said Chobani.

Meanwhile in Rhode Island, others pointed out what they see as the irony. 

"As our Public Union Excesses report pointed out, the excessive costs of government unions, if saved, could be used for other more important priorities, such as school lunches or repairing crumbling school buildings," Mike Stenhouse, head of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity.

The Center had Tweeted this week, “Is it fair that Warwick students are denied a healthy lunch over a minor $40k squabble while the City is overpaying for government services by a whopping $53,922,000? Read our cost of collective bargaining report atRIFreedom.org/Unions #GovUnionsRI”

"The very generous and well-intended corporate bailout is not the answer, however, as it will only incentivize more wasteful spending by the city of Warwick and will disincentivize parents to pay the fees they owe," added Stenhouse.

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Warwick has an ongoing labor dispute with the firefighters' union

Battle Over Fire Contract

On Wednesday, the Warwick Firefighters Union voted to reject a tentative agreement that was reached between the City and the Union’s executive board last week.

As GoLocalProv reported, Solomon claimed that the agreement would have implemented Tier II pension reform, included no salary increases for the life of the agreement and would have resolved years-long issues related to sick and vacation time payments. The Mayor refused to provide GoLocal with a copy of the agreement.

The tentative agreement would have been effective from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2020.

Solomon issued the following statement:

“I am extremely disappointed with the decision of the majority of the rank-and-file not to approve the two-year, tentative agreement that was reached after many discussions between my administration and the Union’s executive board. Both parties negotiated in good faith in an effort to realize critically important cost savings for the taxpayers in these very challenging fiscal times, to correct mistakes of the past, and to forge a new, positive path forward for the department and the City.

It is unfortunate that the majority of the fire department chose not to join with their police and municipal employee brethren who understand and share my belief that sacrifices need to be made. These department directors and employees have been working diligently to reduce expenses across the board for the benefit of our City and its taxpayers."

Pension Raid

Last week Solomon was criticized by union officials for raiding one of the city’s pension funds in order to balance the school department budget.

“I object to Warwick’s Mayor calling a decision to take money out of a pension fund the best birthday gift he has ever received.  While the plan may be well funded currently, removing funds already deposited to a pension plan raises a host of legal and ethical issues,” said J. Michael Downey, President of Council 94.

“A pension plan is not a piggy bank.  We urge Mayor Solomon to reconsider.  Council 94 will now examine and pursue all options available to prevent an ill-advised raid of the Warwick School Committee Employee Pension Plan,”  added Downey.

Council 94 represents over 10,000 active and retired state, municipal, and private sector employees.

Mary Townsend, RI Council 94 Municipal Vice-President & President of Local 357, Warwick Independent School Employees, stated, “I am deeply concerned about the city of Warwick’s intention to divert $4 million dollars from the Warwick School Committee Employee Pension Plan.  As a Pension Plan Board member, I have not been presented with a plan or an actuarial study to determine the impact on our retirement system.  My members and I have worked hard to ensure that our retirement plan has stayed healthy.”

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City is facing an ongoing investigation

FBI Investigation

In December, the Warwick Beacon first reported that the FBI had begun an investigation into issues relating to Warwick City Hall. The Beacon has reported that it is tied to issues in the fire department.

Solomon refused to answer questions about these ongoing controversies.

 

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