By Sarah Price

BRISTOL, R.I. — On the morning of Dec. 17, 2025, the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI) released a press release, stating that members of the Roger Williams University faculty, professional support staff, and facilities unions submitted a petition to the Board of Trustees.

The press release was issued three weeks after a legal letter was sent to RWU on Nov. 24. NEARI Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Azevedo sent a legal letter to Roger Williams University in response to the 2026 furlough plan. The letter stated that “the action taken by the University is squarely prohibited by federal labor law.”

The petition expressed that faculty, staff, and facilities workers are opposed to the furlough plan. The petition explains that the furlough is unlawful, unfair, and unnecessary. It calls on the board to “invoke their authority as university fiduciaries [trustees] and stop the furlough plan announced by University President Ioannis Miaoulis on November 13.” More than 200 RWU union workers signed the petition.

Along with the petition, a separate letter was sent to Heather Boujoulian, the Chair of the Board of Trustees at RWU. The letter was sent by Jennifer Azevedo, communicating “the actions that the union has taken following the furlough announcement.” Within the letter, Azevedo reiterates that the furlough plan violates labor law and collective agreements. The proper channels of bargaining have not been met, and the union grievances filed were never scheduled. 

Azevedo further states that although Gloria Arcia, the Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration for RWU, provided publicly available documents, she declined to provide the additional requested materials. The documentation is necessary for the prosecution of our grievances,” said Azevedo. “We are entitled to the records in order to engage in equitable bargaining over whether unilaterally eliminating wages during the terms of an existing collective bargaining agreement is the only way to solve the financial problem, emergent or not.” 

Regarding the documents not being received, Avezedo has since authorised NEARIs’ outside labor counsel to file and prosecute an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, as soon as possible. 

University administration responded to the press release and additional information, stating, “Roger Williams University’s leadership has been in active communication with the unions and will continue to address the unions’ concerns through the appropriate channels,” as was expressed by Jill Pais, the Assistant Vice President of Communications and Media Relations at RWU. “The President and senior leadership will continue to respond to and meet with the unions in appropriate ways.”

“RWU understands that there is an impact to employees with such a decision; however, the one-week furlough measure is intended to preserve jobs and address our small FY26 budget shortfall,” explained Pais. “This measure was a difficult but necessary decision to close our budget gap.”

NEARI urges the university to withdraw the furlough plan due to its impact on university employees, who are and will be deeply affected by this ill-advised, insulting, and quite frankly, miserly furlough program.” 

The press release ended with a statement from Clifford B. Murphy, Ph.D., and president of the RWU Faculty Association, who said the following: “Our members will continue our work as scheduled and contracted. “If the administration proceeds, it will be acting unlawfully and without our consent. We will not abet them in violating our contract or the law.”

The Capsized Tribune is continuing our investigation, and more information will be brought to you as we receive it. Stay updated through our website and media platforms.

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Full Press Release: Link to press release

Full petition to the Board of Trustees: Link to petition

The Azevedo letter sent to Heather Boujoulian: Link to letter

NEARI’s November 24 legal letter regarding the furlough plan: Link to 11/24 letter

RWU CFO Gloria Arcia December 3 response letter: Link to CFO letter