News Summary
Unionized workers at Butler Hospital in Providence have been on strike for over a week, demanding better wages and workplace safety reforms. The strike involves around 800 workers, including mental health staff and nurses, after their contracts expired in March. Tensions have risen as the city issued citations for noise violations during protests. Workers are planning a rally at the State House to address safety concerns, highlighting poverty wages and inadequate conditions that have led to their collective action. The outcome of this labor dispute has far-reaching implications for employee rights in the healthcare sector.
Providence, Rhode Island – Unionized workers at Butler Hospital have been on strike since May 15, 2025, demanding improved wages and safety reforms. The strike involves around 800 workers, including mental health staff, nurses, clerical, custodial, and dietary personnel, and has entered its seventh day as of May 21, 2025. The workers’ contracts expired on March 31, 2025, and negotiations between the striking union, SEIU 1199NE, and Care New England, the hospital’s parent company, last took place on May 7.
As the strike continues, the city of Providence has issued four citations to striking workers for noise ordinance violations. The infractions include three fines associated with the use of bullhorns without a permit, as well as a fine involving a motorist who honked at the picket line. Each citation imposes a $500 penalty, confirmed by the spokesperson for Mayor Brett Smiley.
While Providence City Council has commended the striking workers for minimizing noise disruptions, complaints from neighbors have pointed to excessive noise levels during the protests. Under the city’s noise ordinance, noise levels are restricted to 65 decibels during daytime hours and 55 decibels at night, with stricter regulations in areas close to schools, churches, and hospitals. The protests are happening outside a private psychiatric facility located on Blackstone Boulevard, near residential neighborhoods.
In response to the ongoing strike and its challenges, striking workers plan to hold another rally at the Rhode Island State House. This rally aims to convey personal testimonies addressing workplace safety concerns. The union has highlighted that many workers are battling poverty wages and inadequate workplace safety, which has catalyzed their collective action.
Mary E. Marran, the president and COO of Butler Hospital, has indicated that striking workers will receive their final paychecks on May 23, 2025. However, health plans are slated to expire on June 1, 2025, and some benefits have already been discontinued. This financial pressure adds to the stakes of the ongoing negotiations and the workers’ demands for better working conditions.
Concerns about the legality of the noise citations have arisen, with Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, questioning the interpretation of the municipal code used to impose the fines. The citations relate to various sections of the code governing noise control, one being classified as “amplified sound.”
As the strike progresses, it stands as a significant testament to the broader issues of employee rights and workplace safety in the healthcare sector. The actions taken by the workers reflect a pursuit for acknowledgment of their rights to advocate for both staff and patient safety, further complicating the dynamic between the union and hospital management.
This situation comes amid growing tensions not only within the workforce but also with city officials and some residents. Representative David Morales has critiqued the city’s move to fine the striking workers, labeling it intimidation aimed at those participating in the strike. The response from city officials and community members continues to evolve in light of the strike’s ongoing developments.
The outcome of this labor dispute has implications that extend beyond the striking workers and hospital management. It raises pertinent questions about labor rights, safety standards, and the role of community in supporting or resisting such protests.
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