EP teachers union denied injunction

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Rhode Island Superior Court judge has refused to stop the East Providence School Committee from cutting teacher pay and forcing teachers to chip in for their health insurance.

Justice Mark A. Pfeiffer released his written decision Thursday afternoon in the matter of East Providence Education Association vs. East Providence School Committee.

In the court document, Pfeiffer refused to grant the preliminary injunction the Teacher's Union requested.

The Union had requested the injunction while the State Labor Relations Board considers the Union's unfair labor practice charge against the Committee.

The Union claims the School Committee acted unilaterally by rolling back teacher pay by an average of five percent and forcing its members to pay a percentage of their health insurance costs. Until now, East Providence teachers didn't contribute anything to their insurance plans.

Judge Pfeiffer stated that in order for him to grant an injunction, the School Committee's actions would have had to cause teachers irreparable harm. However, he stated that criteria was not met.

"While this Court is sympathetic to the additional costs and potential financial hardships these changes will have on the teachers, financial hardship alone does not rise to the level of irreparable harm under the law," his decision stated.

School Committee Chairman Anthony Carcieri said he is pleased with the judge's decision.

"I think the Judge recognized that, at some point, the government has to step in to protect the public. We reached that point in East Providence. All our money is going to the teachers, while our buildings are crumbling and we can’t provide basic supplies. The kids can’t get the education they deserve," said Carcieri.

"I believe most of our teachers want to change that as much as we do."