RI Gov McKee considers mandating the COVID vaccine for state workers providencejournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from providencejournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
With the only Republican on the committee absent at the time of the vote, the tally was 7-0 without any audible testimony, on the night of the first and only hearing on the bill which mirrors a controversial contract right given teachers two years ago that is under challenge in court.
In response to a Journal inquiry, J. Michael Downey, the president of the largest state employees union - Council 94, AFSCME - said his union sent a brief letter supporting the bill.
But I don t think it is that big of a deal, he said, even though his union members are currently working under an expired contract.
McKee at odds with Raimondo admin over teacher, lawmaker vaccination Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal
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Rhode Islanders are jockeying to get in line for COVID-19 vaccination, and state leaders disagree on whether teachers and elected officials should get shots before the general public.
Lt. Gov. Dan McKee, who is set to become governor when Gov. Gina Raimondo steps down to join President Joe Biden s Cabinet, says teachers, school support staff, members of the General Assembly and elected statewide officeholders should be moved up on the priority list.