Hospital Caregivers At Multiple Care New England Facilities Face Escalating Intimidation, Threats of Layoffs

PROVIDENCE: Nearly two months after Butler workers began their unfair labor practice strike, Care New England (CNE) continues to demonstrate its disregard for the workers who keep Rhode Island residents safe, healthy and provide necessary care. On Wednesday, July 9 at 1PM, Women & Infants union caregivers will speak out alongside Butler workers to describe Care New England's sustained campaign of intimidation, harassment and retaliatory behavior that predated what is considered the longest hospital lock-out in Rhode Island history. They will also announce the latest move by Butler Hospital to block the unemployment benefits awarded to all striking workers by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training on June 24. 

On May 15 - the exact day Butler Hospital caregivers began their unfair labor practices strike - CNE's Women & Infants announced it would be laying off at least nine essential workers during what is one of the busiest seasons for the birthing facility. This includes the elimination of the entire Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) department, which plays the vital role of pre-interviewing patients before surgery to make sure none of their current medications will result in complications. CNE continues to ignore SEIU 1199NE's repeated requests for a reason prompting the layoffs, offering only the response that they are 'moving forward.' 

Even before the strike began, Butler management had already engaged in numerous categories of unlawful behavior, prompting the union to file unfair labor practice charges against the hospital on May 12. Since then, it has rolled out a series of tactics designed to intimidate workers into crossing the picket line, culminating in its most recent efforts to block unemployment.

CNE's blatant disregard for union workers' rights, their livelihoods and for the care they deliver their patients grows more pronounced with every passing day. Hospital workers across the Care New England system call on management to stop its unlawful behavior and act in good faith to settle and honor their union contracts.