Butler Hospital Staff Prepare to Strike on May 15

News Summary

Staff at Butler Hospital in Providence, RI are set to strike on May 15 after 91% of employees voted in favor due to failed contract negotiations with Care New England. Workers are demanding better wages, workplace safety improvements, and solutions for staffing shortages exacerbated by a significant increase in workplace violence. The hospital’s administration claims to have proposed wage increases, but the union is calling for much higher raises. Both parties are seeking a resolution to the labor dispute as patient care remains a concern.

Providence, RI – Staff at Butler Hospital are preparing to strike on May 15 following a failed contract negotiation with Care New England, the hospital’s owner. This decision comes after an overwhelming 91% of the hospital’s 800-employee frontline staff, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199, voted in favor of the strike. The union members are calling for improved workplace safety, increased wages, and measures to address chronic staffing shortages.

The imminent strike stems from ongoing concerns regarding workplace violence. Between 2022 and 2024, reports indicate a staggering 41% increase in patient assaults on staff at Butler Hospital. Additionally, 60% of union members have expressed difficulty in affording basic living expenses such as food and housing due to inadequate wages. Currently, there are 116 open positions at the hospital, significantly contributing to staffing challenges.

Union representatives assert that this strike decision was a necessary response to the hospital’s lack of action on critical issues affecting employees’ safety and well-being. Workers have emphasized that low wages have led to a high turnover rate, which in turn jeopardizes quality patient care. With negotiations having begun in March and the last contract expiring on March 31, talks have reached a stalemate.

In response to the union’s grievances, Care New England claims to have presented comprehensive proposals aimed at improving working conditions, including wage increases. Their proposal suggests wage increases ranging from 15.6% to 32% over a four-year contract period. However, the union’s demands are significantly higher, seeking an average wage increase of 79.3% over just two years, reflecting the pressing financial hardships faced by many workers.

Care New England has expressed disappointment regarding the strike notice and has pointed out that striking will lead to wage losses for employees. Nevertheless, the hospital plans to maintain operations during the strike by employing a third-party vendor to ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted.

Both union and hospital officials have indicated a commitment to resolving this labor dispute. Care New England has proposed seeking assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to facilitate further discussions. Prior to the vote authorizing the strike, workers organized an informational picket outside the hospital to highlight their concerns about workplace violence and inadequate wages.

As negotiations continue to impact the future of healthcare at Butler Hospital, both the employees and the hospital’s administration are focused on reaching an agreement that addresses the underlying issues of safety, staffing, and fair compensation. The outcome of the May 15 strike and subsequent negotiations will be closely monitored by both the community and healthcare professionals.

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Additional Resources

• WPRI: Butler Hospital’s Unionized Workers to Go on Strike Next Month
• Wikipedia: Butler Hospital
• Providence Journal: Patient-on-Staff Assaults at Butler Hospital
• Google Search: Butler Hospital Strike
• ABC6: Butler Hospital Union Healthcare Workers to Begin Open Strike on May 15
• Boston Globe: Butler Hospital Strike