News Summary
Care New England has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the SEIU 1199 union representing employees at Women and Infants Hospital. The complaint alleges disruptive and intimidating behavior by union representatives during management meetings, violating workplace policies and collective bargaining agreements. In retaliation, the union claims that hospital management is undermining worker rights. As tensions rise, both parties are expected to negotiate while addressing the impact of these interactions on staff morale and patient care.
Providence, Rhode Island – Care New England has lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199, which represents the employees at Women and Infants Hospital. The complaint accuses the union of displaying “disruptive, intimidating, and bullying behavior” during various interactions with hospital management.
According to the allegations, SEIU 1199’s conduct violates the workplace violence policy, code of conduct, and collective bargaining agreements established at the hospital. The complaint highlights multiple incidents, referred to as “stormings,” where union representatives disrupted management meetings, including scheduled discussions that were crucial to hospital operations. In response to these disruptions, Care New England communicated to SEIU leadership that local law enforcement may be involved if the troubling behavior persists.
In recent responses, SEIU 1199 has countered by accusing hospital management of undermining the rights of the bargaining unit and making unlawful statements intended to intimidate workers. The union asserts that management’s actions disrespect frontline employees and have detrimental effects on patient care.
Care New England’s complaint points to three specific instances of disruptive activities by union representatives during management meetings. For example, on July 10, 2025, a manager from the Environmental Services department was interrupted by a group consisting of approximately ten Women and Infants Hospital employees along with SEIU representatives, which necessitated security intervention to restore order.
The disruptions extended beyond management meetings, affecting the hospital’s main lobby, where union members reportedly made inappropriate comments regarding patient care in front of both patients and visitors. Notably, the union representatives allegedly did not provide the required notice of their appointments as outlined in Article V of the collective bargaining agreement.
Care New England highlighted that these storming tactics are unreasonable and exceed the activities permitted within the framework of their existing agreements. The hospital has expressed concerns about how the union’s behavior contributes to a toxic environment, detrimental to the psychological well-being of the staff, while undermining effective labor relations and overall operational efficiency.
In light of the ongoing disputes, Care New England has indicated that it anticipates compliance from SEIU 1199 with current agreements. However, should the unacceptable behaviors continue, the hospital is prepared to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of both staff and patients, including the potential trespassing of union representatives from the premises.
This legal dispute emphasizes the tense relationship between union representatives and hospital management at Women and Infants Hospital, reflecting larger issues within labor relations in the healthcare sector. As the situation develops, the hospital and union are expected to continue their negotiations while addressing the implications of their interactions on both the staff and the patients they serve.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: Obituaries
- Wikipedia: Labor Union
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- Google Search: Healthcare Labor Relations
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nursing
- Press Democrat: Providence Hospice Strike
- Google News: Union Disputes in Healthcare
