Welcome to RIFTHP

Welcome to the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals web site.

The quality of our schools and the availability of affordable health care continue to be two of the most talked about issues in our state. And these issues are at the cornerstone of the RIFTHP. The Federation is a diverse organization, representing more than 10,000 members who work as teachers, nurses and other health professionals, school related personnel, higher education faculty and staff, and state and municipal employees.

We are proud of our diversity and proud of our membership. They all share an important professional goal: to provide quality services to the people of Rhode Island. The RIFTHP believes that positive long-term economic health requires a continuing reinvestment in education, health care and other important public services and is dedicated to that mission.

In addition to education and health care, there are other issues affecting our members which concern the Federation. They include collective bargaining, retirement, and operations of state government to name only a few. As an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, we join over one million members in an effort to give these issues the attention they deserve.

For more information about the RIFTHP, call (401) 273-9800 or email us! We'd love to hear from you.

Frank Flynn, President

Coventry Teachers' Alliance Awards $125,000 in Scholarships to High School Seniors
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Coventry Teachers' Alliance (CTA) awarded $125,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Coventry High School. The annual event, held during the school’s awards night, highlighted the union’s ongoing commitment to supporting students as they pursue higher education. The awards were made through the CTA Scholarship Fund to assist students enrolling in post-secondary schools. These financial awards are random drawings and will follow each student through his or her post-secondary education, providing lasting support beyond high school. "It's truly a blessing to...
RIFTHP Announces New Virtual Learning PD Sessions on Artificial Intelligence!
RIFTHP Virtual Professional Learning Series on  Artificial Intelligence   Winter/Spring 2025 The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals is actively working to support educators as they integrate AI tools into their instructional practices and, where appropriate, into our classrooms, with strategies that support both educators and students.  Join us for one, a few, or all of the series!   Whether you are new to AI, have dabbled with it a little, or use it frequently, we want all of you to join the discussion.  Let's learn from...
RIDE Professional Employees Union, Local 2012, AFT, Responds to Governor McKee’s State of the State Address: Recognizing the Work Behind the Progress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2025 RIDE Professional Employees Union, Local 2012, AFT, Responds to Governor McKee’s State of the State Address: Recognizing the Work Behind the Progress Providence, RI – The RIDE Professional Employees Union, Local 2012, AFT, representing the dedicated professional staff at the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and a proud affiliate of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), responded today to Governor Dan McKee’s State of the State address. While the union applauds the Governor’s acknowledgment of educational...
Flynn: “Blessed with a career I have loved”
From The Cranston Herald  Wednesday, December 4, 2024 By BARBARA POLICHETTI Frank Flynn can’t count the hours he’s spent at school committee meetings, legislative hearings, or bargaining sessions. But, as a lifelong educator and head of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP) for the past 14 years, Flynn wouldn’t take back a minute of the time he has spent working to support teachers and the work they do. Now, he says, it is time to step back and relax — spend more time with his grandchildren and travel with his wife, Sharon. Flynn, who started his...
Maribeth Calabro Elected President of the RIFTHP
Providence, RI - The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP) held their Biennial Convention on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Graduate Hotel in Providence. One hundred and thirty delegates representing sixteen locals were in attendance.  The RIFTHP is the state’s largest labor union representing more than twelve thousand workers: educators, school support personnel, nurses and healthcare workers, other private and public sector employees, and retirees. We are proud of the work we do to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders. After serving for forty-eight...
Paul Cuffee Upper School Votes to Unionize with the RIFTHP
In a historic move, the educators at Paul Cuffee Upper School have voted to join the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), making it the first independent charter school in Rhode Island to unionize with the organization.  This vote is a significant  step forward in the collective effort to ensure fair working conditions, enhanced educational quality, and a stronger voice for those dedicated to serving the school's diverse student body.   With this decision, the teachers and staff of Paul Cuffee Upper School join a growing number of...
RIFTHP President Frank Flynn Announces Registered Apprenticeship Grant
The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, in partnership with RI Institute for Labor Studies and Research, RI AFL-CIO, the and the National Education Association RI is proud to announce the receipt of a Registered Apprenticeship in Teaching Sub-grant from the US Department of Labor as part of Building Futures’ successful Apprenticeship Hub grant proposal.   This 1.1 million dollar subgrant will support the work of these lead partners, with RI College and five RI school district Labor-Management teams from Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket,...
Artist Gives RIFTHP The Lego Treatment!
Providence artist Andrew Grover created a Lego model of the RIFTHP office on Smith Street and presented it to President Frank Flynn.  Andrew brings attention to Rhode Island’s beautiful historic buildings, including public schools.  He was a public school teacher for 21 years and now uses his talent and creativity to point out the beauty that is within our communities.  Using Legos to create models of buildings students recognize from their neighborhoods, Andrew truly brings art to life for kids when he visits schools.  The model will be proudly displayed at the office....
RIFTHP Educators Learn Trauma Informed Strategies Over February Break
As part of it’s on-going 2024 Virtual RIFTHP Professional Development offerings, over 20 RI teachers have registered for our currently running, 10 Trauma Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal 10-session series.  Not only are these teachers  attending 2 sessions per week from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM after a full day in the classroom, they are attending 2 evening sessions during February Break.  This is what educators do on vacation!   The 10-session series is designed to help teachers gain deeper understanding of how adversity can impact children’s developing brains,...
Securing Your Financial Future STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT DUE: New ways to reach debt relief
The student loan landscape has been changing and the AFT is working hard to be sure members know how to navigate it and get debt relief as soon as possible. The biggest news is that, after a three-year hiatus, borrowers will have to start making their student loan payments again beginning Oct. 1. The next biggest news? The SAVE plan, a more generous income-driven repayment plan that will save borrowers thousands of dollars and qualify them for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. As you dig into the details below, remember that the AFT has your back, with student debt clinics and online resources...