“We as staff don’t feel valued, supported or even safe.”
Providence - Frontline caregivers at Groden Center who provide essential services for children with autism began their three day strike today after ongoing negotiations with management failed to reach a contract agreement that provides workers with a livable wage to encourage recruitment, retention, and enhance overall safety for students and staff. The 38 Behavioral Specialists, who are members of SEIU 1199NE, have been negotiating a new contract since June, 2024.
“Our decision to strike was not one that was made lightly but management needs to understand that we as staff don’t feel valued, supported or even safe. We are simply not paid appropriately for the work we do and too many workers are leaving for jobs with the same pay and less stress. What’s more, when you are constantly worrying about how you are going to make ends meet, it is hard to bring our best selves to the job.”
- Katherine Siguenza, a Behavioral Specialist Coordinator, who has worked at Groden for 12 and a half years.
“The cost of living for food, housing and gas keeps going up while the starting wage at Groden is literally less than what one can make at Cane’s Chicken, who are currently advertising $20 an hour to start. The wage proposal Groden has offered us in negotiations barely scratch the surface of what we need to make a living wage. Instead of throwing money at agency staff, Groden Center needs to invest in its dedicated full time employees who have devoted their lives to this work.”
- Richard Jenkins, a Behavioral Specialist Coordinator