Union Leader Faces Dismissal at Rhode Island Airport

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has initiated the termination of Steven Parent, president of the airport's employee union, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including discouraging job applicants and benefiting from over $52,000 in overtime pay due to staffing vacancies. The union, Council 94, strongly defends Parent, labeling the accusations as ludicrous and suggesting they may be retaliatory following strained labor-management relations. RIAC claims Parent's actions jeopardized safety compliance and violated ethical conduct standards. Parent, who was recently re-elected as union president, plans to contest the termination at an upcoming hearing. The controversy emerges amidst ongoing contract negotiations for airport staff and broader tensions between airport management and employees. Parent's case highlights underlying issues of employee relations at T.F. Green International Airport.