Care New England’s Butler Hospital in Providence, R.I., will begin posting positions for permanent replacement employees in response to District 1199 SEIU New England’s ongoing indefinite labor strike.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, hospital President and COO Mary Marran said the move is necessary.
“We are now into the third week of SEIU 1199 NE’s strike,” said Ms. Marran. “We believe this action is essential to ensure continuity of patient care and maintain the stability of our services.”
Ms. Marran added that “following federal law, striking employees who have been permanently replaced will not return to work once the strike ends. Instead, those employees will be placed on a preferential hire list and will be able to return once a position becomes available. As we have said throughout this entire process, we welcome employees back to work at any time.”
Approximately 800 staff at the hospital, including registered nurses, mental health workers, clerical, environmental service and dietary staff, began an open-ended strike May 15 after voting to authorize one in April. The union and management began negotiating a new labor contract in March and have been at odds over issues such as pay and workplace safety.
Last month, Ms. Marran announced that May 23 would be the last paycheck for employees who are not actively working due to the strike, and their hospital-sponsored benefits would expire June 1. Affected employees received information about COBRA coverage and other benefit options.
Although workers’ medical benefits expired on May 31, hundreds have signed up for free or low-cost health insurance through HealthSource RI, the state health insurance marketplace, according to the union.
Jesse Martin, executive vice president for SEIU 1199 New England, shared the following statement June 3 in response to the latest news regarding job postings:
“Stripping Butler employees of their job security and healthcare benefits is not how you build a better hospital. Real improvement comes from respecting workers’ voices, honoring their contributions, and paying them fairly to ensure both staff and patient safety.”
