FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2025 | CONTACT: Amelia Abromaitis; 484-363-9783

After a second marathon bargaining session, Butler management fails to commit to union proposals

30 May 2025

"It’s crystal clear management is using our access to healthcare as a weapon to break our resolve."

Providence - After a second long day of meeting nearly 11 hours with a federal mediator, Butler Hospital told workers yesterday they would be unable to respond to their contract proposals until the following week, days after terminating workers' health benefits on May 31.

After more than 11 hours of mediation, management informed us they would not be able to respond to our contract proposals until some time next week—fully aware that our healthcare coverage ends on May 31. It’s crystal clear management is using our access to healthcare as a weapon to break our resolve. We remain committed to the negotiating process, but Care New England needs to stop playing games and invest in workers without demanding unnecessary and devastating concessions.

- Dan Camp, Behavioral Health Call Intake Center

Workers began day number 16 of their unfair labor practice strike today, which started Thursday, May 15 after 91% of the union workforce, or 99% of workers who participated, voted to strike.

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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.