Butler Hospital Prepares for Strike Amid Safety Concerns

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Healthcare staff at Butler Hospital address pressing safety and wage issues as a strike looms.

News Summary

Butler Hospital in Providence, RI, is set to spend $1.8 million on temporary workers as it braces for a strike involving over 800 employees due to safety and wage issues. With existing staffing shortages, the situation highlights concerns regarding workplace safety, inadequate salaries, and increasing violence, as union representatives negotiate for better conditions. The next bargaining session is scheduled for April 29, 2025.

Providence, RI – Butler Hospital is set to spend $1.8 million on temporary workers as it braces for an expected strike involving hundreds of frontline employees. The strike is scheduled to commence at 6 a.m. on May 15, 2025, driven by ongoing safety and wage concerns among staff.

The New England Health Care Employees Union (SEIU 1199NE), representing more than 800 frontline workers at Butler Hospital, has been negotiating contracts with the hospital’s parent company, Care New England, for the past two months. The previous contracts expired on March 31, 2025, leading to the current impasse.

According to union officials, Butler Hospital currently has 116 open job positions, which heightens concerns regarding staffing shortages and the overall safety of employees. A recent survey conducted by SEIU 1199NE revealed troubling statistics regarding the work environment at the hospital. 95% of employees indicated that they do not feel safe at work, while 60% expressed difficulty in meeting basic needs such as food and housing.

Union Executive Vice President Jesse Martin has criticized Care New England for not adequately addressing fundamental issues affecting employees, including low wages, workplace violence, and insufficient retirement and health insurance benefits. The rise in workplace violence incidents has raised alarm bells, with reported assaults increasing from 205 to 237 over the past two years, representing a 16% rise in incidents.

Amid these challenges, Care New England has defended its negotiation practices, asserting that it is discussing proposals that include wage increases and the establishment of a committee to address workplace violence. A hospital spokesperson noted that the costs of preparing for the strike are diverting funds from enhancing wages and benefits for staff members.

However, concerns persist regarding the adequacy of safety measures in place to protect workers. Nurses and other staff members have reported injuries from patient assaults, which they attribute to staffing shortages and a lack of resources for managing aggressive patients effectively. Mental health workers at Butler Hospital currently earn around $19 an hour, significantly lower than what is standard in comparable positions at other medical institutions.

The next bargaining session between SEIU 1199NE and Care New England is scheduled for April 29, where potential strike vote approvals will be discussed. Union workers are advocating for a dedicated committee to review violence incidents and propose necessary safety improvements.

This situation reflects broader concerns within the healthcare industry regarding staffing challenges, worker safety, and fair wages. As the strike date approaches, both sides will have to navigate the complexities of negotiations to reach a potential resolution, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of hospital employees and patients alike.