"Instead of investing in its own workforce, Care New England plans to spend almost two million dollars to fly in out-of-state workers during the strike."
Providence: Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199NE, issued the following statement regarding Butler Hospital’s stated plans during recent contract negotiations to spend $1.8 millions on replacement workers during the union workers’ planned strike beginning May 15:
“Care New England has repeatedly discussed its financial success; however, that success is because of the hard work and sacrifice of its dedicated employees. Butler Hospital (CNE) has failed to make proposals to lift its workforce out of poverty, address chronic workplace violence or protect their retirement and health insurance benefits.
Instead of investing in its own workforce, Care New England plans to spend almost two million dollars to fly in out-of-state workers during the strike which will continue to drain valuable resources away from our state. Lifting workers out of poverty is an investment in our communities, not paying for replacement workers. Rhode Islanders deserve the services of a health system that treats its workers with respect by providing them with fair wages and benefits.
Butler Hospital (CNE) has taken millions of dollars in American Rescue Act funds and increased Medicaid rates over the last few years, none of which has been given to frontline staff to lift them out of poverty or address their safety concerns.
SEIU 1199NE’s negotiating committee submitted proposals as late as 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 7 but hospital management has refused to respond. Our negotiating committee is prepared to continue to hold negotiations with Butler Hospital and we await any meaningful response. Union workers remain committed to reaching a collective bargaining agreement to meet the needs of Butler patients but if the hospital is unwilling to fix this care crisis, 1199NE members will be forced to strike on May 15.”
Instead of investing in its own workforce, Care New England plans to spend almost two million dollars to fly in out-of-state workers during the strike which will continue to drain valuable resources away from our state. Lifting workers out of poverty is an investment in our communities, not paying for replacement workers. Rhode Islanders deserve the services of a health system that treats its workers with respect by providing them with fair wages and benefits.
Butler Hospital (CNE) has taken millions of dollars in American Rescue Act funds and increased Medicaid rates over the last few years, none of which has been given to frontline staff to lift them out of poverty or address their safety concerns.
SEIU 1199NE’s negotiating committee submitted proposals as late as 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 7 but hospital management has refused to respond. Our negotiating committee is prepared to continue to hold negotiations with Butler Hospital and we await any meaningful response. Union workers remain committed to reaching a collective bargaining agreement to meet the needs of Butler patients but if the hospital is unwilling to fix this care crisis, 1199NE members will be forced to strike on May 15.”
ACCESS PHOTOS AND VIDEO HERE | Photo credit: Dominique Sindayiganza | @sindayiganza
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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 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.