Butler has not reported available beds since before the strike despite lauding continued care standards
In a new email to the “Care New England Community,” Michael Wagner expresses his gratitude to non-union replacement workers, "I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude to Butler’s amazing staff of clinicians, advanced practice providers, non-union staff, and temporary workers. Because of this group, Butler has continued to deliver high quality, compassionate behavioral health services to the community throughout the work stoppage. Thank you for everything you do.”
Despite lauding the quality of care standards maintained during the strike, Butler Hospital has not publicly reported available beds since before the strike began.
On Tuesday May 27, Michael Wagner thanked temporary workers for replacing the career-long caregivers of Butler Hospital claiming they have kept care standards high. Why then, has Butler failed to publicly report its available beds for the duration of the strike? Is Butler reducing census because temporary workers cannot provide the same standards of care as its dedicated workforce? Instead of spending millions of dollars on temporary workers, we urge Care New England to come to the table tomorrow ready to acknowledge the collective experience and expertise of Butler and provide them with the level of compensation and respect they deserve.”
Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199NE
Workers voted by 91%, or 99% of those who participated, to begin an unfair labor practice strike on May 15, calling on the hospital to address chronic short staffing, low wages and a rising workplace violence epidemic.
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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.