Media Coverage Highlights Workers United At Multiple Facilities Against Care New England

10 July 2025

CNE forced to admit they've closed units at Butler reducing available care options during strike.

On Wednesday, workers from two Rhode Island hospitals joined forces and stood together with a unified message: Care New England is using bullying, intimidation, and threats to try to break apart our union. But we made it loud and clear, 1199NE is not backing down."

Butler Hospital mental health worker Ben Degnan emceed the event and painted a picture of the frustration and determination felt by those who have remained on the strike line for over 50 days. Their biggest request is simple: sign the contract—a contract that, as Degnan pointed out, CNE has had for two weeks but has refused to act on. Along with Degnan, workers from Butler and Women & Infants shared stories of their experiences.

Janice Iadeluca spoke about how she has been dealing with ongoing attempts to entrap her and is currently in arbitration, all because she speaks the truth and stands up to protect her patients, mothers, and their newborns during very vulnerable moments.

Beth Iams from Butler and Shonda Gross from Women & Infants both spoke about how CNE has continued its attempts to attack and discourage union members, from trying to stop unemployment payments to striking workers to planning layoffs of essential staff at W&I and reassigning their work to non-union employees. But both women spoke with strength and conviction about standing tall with the support of their union brothers and sisters.

It wasn’t just union voices we heard from, the community support was strong. A surprise visit by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos showcased the growing support from state leadership, while State Representative David Morales shared that he and 30 colleagues were sending a letter to CNE in support of the union’s fight and their hope for a resolution to the strike.

Coverage started early and continued throughout the day, with news stations providing updates from their morning shows through the early evening. The big win came when Rhode Island Public Radio called out Butler Hospital, forcing them to confirm that they’ve shut down two wings due to a lack of trained and qualified staff.

A full recap of coverage can be found below.

“They do not have enough temporary workers in order to fill our positions and provide the care that their patients need,”

Dawn Williams, Registered Nurse, Butler Hospital

“We have not forgotten that you are the heroes that continued to work when no one else was working. And we’re here to show you support and to let you know that we’re going to be standing with you all along until you’re able to get back to work.”

Lt. Governor Sabina Matos

“Sign the contract that has been in front of you for two weeks. Sign it and we will be back to work by the weekend.”

Ben Degnan, Mental Health Worker, Butler Hospital

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250709 Butler Strike Coverage - WPRI Channel 12 - YouTube

"We wouldn't be out here if at the start of negotiations management valued us and our work properly. We would still be there right now."

Ben Degnan, Mental Health Worker , Butler Hospital

Care New England workers at multiple facilities allege a pattern of intimidation and retaliation

"The only way to end this is to give us the fair contract we need for ourselves, our families, and our patients.”

“This is not the first time management has tried to intimidate or weaken our union. At the end of the day, I worry it is our patients who will be at the brunt of this decision. By eliminating my position and the entire pre-admission testing department, I’m concerned that the impact will be on the patient’s safety, properly coordinating care, and supervising work being done here."

Shonda Gross, Authorization Coordinator, Women and Infants Hospital

“What’s happening now is nothing new. This is how Care New England has always treated its hardworking healthcare workers, whether it be here at Women & Infants or at Butler Hospital."

Justine Iadeluca, C-Section Recovery Room Nurse, Women and Infants Hospital