FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2025

Butler Caregivers Contribute 1,400 Volunteer Hours, Answer Urgent Call for Blood Donations

05 August 2025

Providence: Twelve weeks into their unfair labor practice lock-out, the longest hospital strike in state history, hundreds of Butler caregivers are channeling their time, energy and expertise into their "Caring for the Community" initiative. Over the last few weeks, Butler caregivers have coordinated with various organizations, donating over 1,400 volunteer hours at food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, and shoreline clean-ups. Organizations they have partnered with include: New Beginnings Kitchen, St. Raymond’s Church Food Pantry, Saints Rose and Clement Parish in Warwick, Lighthouse Community Food Bank in Cumberland, Open Closet at Open Table of Christ, Cozy Rhody and Save The Bay.

Since this strike began, we’ve been fighting not just for a fair contract, but for the kind of healthcare system that treats both caregivers and patients with dignity and respect. In the past 12 weeks, Butler caregivers have volunteered over 1,400 hours across Rhode Island. Some of us are helping seniors in our community, some are hauling wood at WaterFire Providence. Others are running charity races, helping at community events, assisting staff at animal shelters and rehabilitation centers, or restocking shelves at food pantries — wherever we’re needed, we show up.

- Hannah Roosa, Butler Registered Nurse and Coordinator of "Caring for the Community"

In addition, Butler workers have stepped up to respond to a dangerous shortage of blood across the state. On July 21, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) declared a blood emergency as the state’s blood supply dropped below a two day inventory, far below the required seven-day supply to meet hospital and patient needs. In response, so many caregivers have stepped up, Rhode Island Blood Center set up a sponsor code on behalf of the union to participate and donate.

Rhode Island is facing a critical blood shortage. That's why over a dozen of my striking co-workers have already stepped up to donate blood. Our contributions so far could save almost 40 lives. Last Friday we sent so many walk-ins that they started to turn us away because they couldn’t fit everyone in. We will continue to save lives and uplift Rhode Islanders from the picket line until we are able to go back inside Butler Hospital.

- Catherine Maynard, Butler Registered Nurse and coordinator of the union blood drive

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Today's press event came on the heels of a decisive vote earlier last week, in which 98% of striking Butler workers voted to reject management's revised "last, best, and final offer" from July 11. Workers cited that the offer fails to meet their demands for family-sustaining wages, affordable healthcare, and safer working conditions. Butler’s plan offers the lowest paid workers in dietary, clerical, and housekeeping only $18 an hour start rate, far below the economic self-sufficiency standard, would substantially raise deductibles on workers' HSA healthcare plan and seeks to prevent workers who experienced workplace violence from returning to their same position after they have been on workman's compensation (even after a year of service).

Butler caregivers return to the bargaining table tomorrow, Wednesday, August 6, and are eager to settle a contract that is fair and equitable for all Butler workers, regardless of their unit or department. They will continue their volunteering efforts for the duration of the lock-out and after.

The unfair labor practice lockout at Butler Hospital is the longest hospital lock-out in state history, beginning on May 15. SEIU 1199 New England represents over 800 frontline staff at Butler Hospital (with over 100 vacant positions) including registered nurses, mental health workers, clerical, environmental service and dietary staff. On April 25, 91% of the entire workforce of frontline staff at Butler Hospital - or 99% of workers who participated - voted to authorize the strike citing management’s refusal to address the workplace violence epidemic and below market value wages.

Visit https://wearebutler.org for more information on upcoming volunteering. Contact 1199NE Comms 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.