RI State Workers Getting $3K Bonuses For Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's largest union of state workers voted to approve a contract that will give employees bonuses for being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, union officials said.

AFSCME Council 94, which represents workers at Eleanor Slater Hospital, the University of Rhode Island and more, voted overwhelmingly Thursday in favor of the bonuses, which could give each worker an additional $3,000. Almost 2,000 members were in favor of the contract, while just under 100 opposed. The new contract also gives workers a 2.5 percent annual raise, which runs until 2024.

"Through the years, state employees have undergone multiple rounds of pension reductions, increases to health care costs, and the elimination of longevity," said union President J. Michael Downey. "I am grateful for the dialogue that brought this ratification vote to a successful conclusion today."

The bonuses are broken up into two $1,500 payments, and fully vaccinated union members will receive that bonus this year. The second bonus is scheduled to be paid in July 2022.

"If they decide you have to get a booster or something else to be fully vaccinated, you'd have to do that," Downey said regarding the second bonus.

Though Gov. Dan McKee's administration was on board with the bonuses, Republican members of the Rhode Island House Minority office opposed the contract. Minority house members said the contract will cost the state over $11 million, and that cost will only grow as other state employees seek the same provisions.

"People should be paid for their work, not their private medical choices," the house minority office members said in a joint statement. "The hundreds of thousands of vaccinated Rhode Islanders should not be forced to pay bonuses to state employees who have also chosen to be vaccinated. The union’s role is to negotiate the best deal for their members — and they clearly have. On the other hand, it is up to the Governor to advance the best interest of all taxpayers – and he has failed."

Minority house members include the following state representatives: Minority Leader Blake Filippi, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader George Nardone, Brian Newberry, Deputy Minority Leader David Place, Justin Price, Deputy Minority Whip Robert Quattrocchi and Senior Deputy Leader Sherry Roberts.