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Announcements
Annual Golf Outing
There's still time to join us for lunch at the Chapter 94 golf outing, Thursday, September 24th but members need to register by September 15th. Contact the office to make a reservation, 401-642-2434.
Elected!
- At the September Chapter meeting, the following were deemed elected, running unopposed: Mike Connolly, President Russ Marsocci, Municipal VP Ron Pepin, State VP Linda Folcarelli, Treasurer Donna Folcarelli, Secretary Congratulations on your re-election, and thank you for all your hard work on behalf of retirees. We truly appreciate your dedication and service.
Union Democracy at Work!
We have contested elections for the Chapter 94 Executive Board and Trustees. An official notice will be mailed to current members at their last known home address, per the AFSCME Retiree Election Manual. This is just a heads up.
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 1 pm. Where: RI Council 94, Lower Level
Prior to voting, candidates will be allotted up to 2 minutes to speak. If you have questions regarding the election, please contact VP Russ Marsocci, through the Chapter Office at (401) 642-2434.
Once the official notice is sent, we will update and provide candidate information.
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 1 pm. Where: RI Council 94, Lower Level
Prior to voting, candidates will be allotted up to 2 minutes to speak. If you have questions regarding the election, please contact VP Russ Marsocci, through the Chapter Office at (401) 642-2434.
Once the official notice is sent, we will update and provide candidate information.
New Leadership at AFSCME
Patrick Moran’s election as AFSCME’s national president puts a longtime labor organizer in charge of our 1.4 million member union and 240,000 retirees.
Under Moran’s leadership at Council 3, AFSCME members in Maryland gained expanded bargaining rights, won wage increases, saw improved workplace safety protections, and secured a record $23 million wage-theft settlement for public safety workers.
Nicole Pollard, the new Secretary Treasurer, brings serious labor and legal experience to the role. An attorney and 23-year AFSCME member, she has served as in-house counsel for the IBT, NEA, and AFSCME.
Why do we cover AFSCME? Because Chapter 94 is part of the national union’s robust retiree program, providing us support from members across the union in our fight for retirement security.
RI Chapter 94 Fights to Protect Retirees’ Pensions: Opposing McKee’s Plan to Skip Supplemental Payments
RI Chapter 94 is standing up for retirees by pushing back against Governor McKee’s budget proposal to redirect over $20 million from the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI)—funds that, by law, should be used to strengthen the pension system.
The law mandates that 50% of the state’s fiscal surplus goes toward supplemental pension payments, a key mechanism to ensuring the financial health of the ERSRI. However, McKee’s plan seeks to suspend this payment for one fiscal year, a move that could jeopardize long-term pension stability and future COLA restorations for retirees.
“Skipping pension payments, including supplemental ones, is never the right approach to strengthening the ERSRI,” said Russ Marsocci, RI Chapter 94 Vice President. “We oppose the Governor’s short-sighted strategy and will work with our legislative advisors and labor partners to thwart this imprudent plan.”
RI Chapter 94 remains committed to fighting for retirees’ financial security and ensuring that the state honors its obligations. Stay tuned for updates on this critical issue.