Hundreds of Striking Butler Hospital Workers Demand Michael Wagner Settle a Fair Contract a March to CNE Headquarters
“Enough is enough. It’s time to get this contract done.”
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Today, hundreds of striking Butler Hospital workers marched from the strike picket line at the hospital to the Care New England headquarters, demanding Michael Wagner, CEO of Care New England, respond to their latest proposals in their efforts to settle a fair union contract.
“Today marks the start of week three of our unfair labor practice strike at Butler Hospital. We remain ready and willing to settle a fair contract and return to the patients who need us. That’s why we marched to Care New England’s headquarters today—to demand that Michael Wagner and the entire management team stop the delays and end the bad faith bargaining. Enough is enough. It’s time to get this contract done.”
Niki Anthony, Registered Nurse in Riverview 2 & member of the Union negotiating committee
On Thursday, May 29th, after meeting with a federal mediator for 11 hours, union workers presented the hospital a set of contract proposals with the goal of reaching an agreement. In response, Butler Hospital told workers they would be unable to respond to their contract proposals until the following week, days after terminating workers’ health benefits on May 31. Workers’ medical benefits expired on May 31, but hundreds have been able to sign up for free or low cost health insurance through HealthSource RI, the state marketplace.
District 1199 SEIU New England represents 29,000 health care and service workers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southeastern Massachusetts. In Rhode Island, 1199 SEIU NE represents almost 5,000 members. 1199 SEIU NE is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – a union of over 2 million members across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. SEIU has been a national leader in pushing the growing Fight for $15 and a Union movement.