RI Department of Labor and Training Has Awarded Striking Butler Workers Unemployment Benefits
    News

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2025 ​

    RI Department of Labor and Training Has Awarded Striking Butler Workers Unemployment Benefits

    24 June 2025

    Decision determines workers have been “locked out” of their employment, thus eligible for unemployment retroactive to June 1, 2025 

    Providence: The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training has ruled that Butler Hospital union workers are eligible for unemployment benefits retroactive to June 1, 2025 when the employer announced it was moving to permanently replace caregivers, thus constituting a lock-out. The Rhode Island Employment Security Act ["ESA"] states that in the event of a “physical or constructive lockout” in which frontline staff are replaced by temporary workers and cease to receive payment or benefits, claimants are eligible for benefits. 

    This ruling is a major boost for our morale and will lessen our financial anxiety so we can focus on winning a fair contract and safer patient care. It also reinforces what we have been saying for weeks - that Butler cutting off our healthcare and threatening to replace us are nothing more than scare tactics meant to divide us. But instead of breaking us, we are more united than ever to see this fight through.

    - K-Lee Butler, Unit Secretary, D3/ ADI

    While the DLT’s decision gives workers the unemployment compensation they are entitled to by law, the union will be requesting an amendment to include as far back at May 19, when caregivers first began receiving letters informing them of the termination of their medical, dental and vision coverage (effective May 31, 2025) as well as life, long term disability, critical illness, accident insurance and voluntary legal insurance. 

    First Butler tried to take away our healthcare, then they announced they were permanently replacing us. Then they tried to break our spirit by offering us a contract proposal that was even less than their “last, best, final offer.” Again and again, their attempts to intimidate us have backfired and instead, they have managed to bring us closer to each other than ever.

    - Joe Maini, Mental Health Worker and member of the bargaining committee

    On April 25, 91% of the entire workforce of frontline staff at Butler Hospital - or 99% of the workers who participated - voted to authorize the strike. On May 12, the union filed unfair labor practices against the employer, identifying numerous categories of behavior by the hospital that are both unlawful and unacceptable to the union members, including 1) refusing to bargain in good faith 2) threatening, coercing and retaliating against workers for protected union activity 3) surveilling workers as they engage in union activity and 4) making unilateral changes to condition of employment after the contract expired.

    We are feeling strong and unstoppable - now management’s only option is to sit down with us and come to a fair and equitable agreement for everyone.

    - Joe Maini, Mental Health Worker and member of the bargaining committee

    Butler caregivers return to negotiations tomorrow with the last session on June 20 drawing well over 200 members. 

    CONTACT: Amelia Abromaitis | 484-363-9783 or or SEIU 1199NE at comms@seiu1199ne.org or 860-280-6443.

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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.