There has been a 41% increase from 2022 to 2024 in patient assaults on staff
Providence: In the midst of Rhode Island’s mental health crisis, Butler Hospital workers will hold an informational picket on Monday, April 21 at noon outside the hospital. They are calling for an end to the workplace violence epidemic driven by short staffing; since 2022 to 2024 there has been a 41% increase in patient assaults on staff with 107 assaults in the first three months of 2025.
Last month, nearly 800 frontline Butler Hospital staff who are members of SEIU 1199NE began bargaining with Care New England to settle a fair union contract that provides competitive rates to recruit and retain urgently needed staff as well as paid training, increased job safety measures and improved benefits.
Butler Hospital currently has 108 open positions. Wages at Butler lag far behind other similar mental health providers in the state and are driving staff to less stressful positions elsewhere. The starting wage for a Butler Mental Health Worker is just $18.27 and 60% of Butler workers say in a recent survey they have struggled to afford both food and housing costs.
WHAT: Butler Hospital Informational Picket
WHERE: Butler Hospital: 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI 02906
WHEN: Monday, April 21 | 12:00 Noon
WHO: Frontline caregivers at Butler Hospital will be joined by community supporters and elected officials
Last month, nearly 800 frontline Butler Hospital staff who are members of SEIU 1199NE began bargaining with Care New England to settle a fair union contract that provides competitive rates to recruit and retain urgently needed staff as well as paid training, increased job safety measures and improved benefits.
Butler Hospital currently has 108 open positions. Wages at Butler lag far behind other similar mental health providers in the state and are driving staff to less stressful positions elsewhere. The starting wage for a Butler Mental Health Worker is just $18.27 and 60% of Butler workers say in a recent survey they have struggled to afford both food and housing costs.
WHAT: Butler Hospital Informational Picket
WHERE: Butler Hospital: 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI 02906
WHEN: Monday, April 21 | 12:00 Noon
WHO: Frontline caregivers at Butler Hospital will be joined by community supporters and elected officials
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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 over 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.