PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Members of the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) gathered at the Statehouse yesterday for the union’s annual Lobby Day, calling on lawmakers to take action to strengthen public education, protect retirement security, and ensure fair wages and working conditions for Rhode Island workers.
NEARI leaders and members kicked off the event by outlining the union’s 2026 legislative priorities before meeting directly with legislators to share their experiences and advocate for policies that support students, educators, and communities across the state.
“NEARI members are here today because they see every day what students and communities need to succeed,” said Mary Barden, Executive Director of NEARI. “From fair school funding to protecting public education from privatization, to ensuring dignity in retirement and respect in the workplace – these are not abstract issues. They are real, urgent priorities for Rhode Island families.”
NEARI’s 2026 legislative agenda focuses on four core areas: ensuring fair funding for public education, higher education, and public health; protecting public education from privatization and federal voucher schemes; strengthening pensions and retirement security; and advancing collective bargaining rights and fair working conditions.
Speakers at the press conference included educators and public employees from across Rhode Island, who shared firsthand perspectives on the impact of underfunding, staffing shortages, and policy decisions on students and working families.
Members also raised concerns about a new federal tax credit voucher program, warning that it would divert public resources away from public schools while lacking accountability and oversight.
“Public schools serve every student, regardless of need,” said Barrington teacher Nahum Mitnik. “We cannot afford to shift public dollars into unregulated systems that weaken the foundation of our communities.”
Throughout the afternoon, NEARI members met one-on-one with legislators to advocate for policies that invest in public education and support working people.
Lobby Day reflects NEARI’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that educators and public employees have a voice in shaping the policies that affect their work and their students. As part of the event, members emphasized the importance of collective advocacy and civic engagement.
“Today is about using our voice,” Barden said. “When educators and workers come together, we can build a stronger public education system and a better future for Rhode Island.”
The National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) is a union and professional organization with a proud history of serving Rhode Island since 1845. NEARI is nearly 12,000 members strong, including classroom teachers; education support professionals; higher education faculty, staff, and graduate assistants; municipal and state workers; and retirees. We are affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA) and RI AFL-CIO. Learn more at www.neari.org.
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