Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

House of Representatives passes Stewart resolution congratulating resident physicians on unionization

 

STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a resolution (2025-H 5207) introduced by Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) congratulating resident physicians and fellows with RIH-Brown University Health and Care New England Hospitals on their successful campaigns to organize unions.

“Not only is this an important victory for those who deliver high-quality health care to all Rhode Islanders, it’s an important step in solving the primary care physician shortage,” said Representative Stewart. “Doctors in residencies regularly work 80 hours a week for first-year pay. This, coupled with an average of $203,062 in education debt, is making it less and less attractive to be a doctor in Rhode Island. Unionization will help them negotiate pay that is more in line with their skills and demanding schedules.”

On Jan. 7, the doctors voted to join the Committee of Interns and Residents for the purpose of collective bargaining with Brown University Health. The Committee of Interns and Residents is the largest such union in the country, with more than 34,000 members. The following week, house staff for Kent Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital and Butler Hospital, representing some 230 doctors, voted to join the same union.                                                          

 

President Trump is calling April 2nd America's "liberation day." Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that's the day his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China go into effect. He said Americans will see an economic boom after the tariffs.        Israel says its forces will permanently occupy parts of Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages. This comes after Israel broke a nearly two-month ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group earlier this week. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have reportedly killed almost 600 people in Gaza.        The President appears to be open to the U.S. becoming a member of the British Commonwealth. On Truth Social this morning, President Trump shared a link to a report from the "Sun" about King Charles the Third preparing a "secret offer" involving the U.S. becoming an associate member of the international organization. In his post, Trump said, "I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!"        Congressman Gerry [[ Jerry ]] Connolly is calling for an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Connolly, a ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said it was suspicious that Lutnick recently urged Americans to buy Tesla stock. Connolly said it's "the latest example of the Trump Administration using taxpayer resources to enrich the President's inner circle."        Boeing has won a multi-billion dollar contract to build F-47 fighter jets. On Friday, President Trump announced the Next Generation Air Dominance program, also known as the F-47 fighter jet, will replace Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor. Boeing and Lockheed were competing for the contract to build the jets after both companies finalized designs for the aircraft last year.        There's a new idea to help bring down grocery costs. Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar wants the Trump Administration to allow the import of eggs from Mexico. He says, if you go across the border from his South Texas district, it costs about four-bucks for a carton of 30-eggs. If imports are allowed, he says it would solve the domestic supply issue, caused by the bird flu.       

Old News Archives