Striking workers at Care New England’s Butler Hospital in Providence, R.I., could be at risk of losing pay and benefits, according to hospital President and COO Mary Marran.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Ms. Marran said the hospital notified hundreds of Service Employee International Union 1099 members on May 16 that, in accordance with federal law and benefit plan rules, May 23 will be the last paycheck for employees who are not actively working due to the open-ended strike, and their hospital-sponsored benefits will expire June 1.
“We formally notified affected employees of this change and provided detailed information about COBRA coverage and other benefit options,” Ms. Marran said. “Some benefits, such as life insurance, have already ended due to eligibility rules tied to active employment.”
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.
Union members voted April 25 to authorize a strike. The union and management began negotiating a new labor contract in March.
Ms. Marran said that during negotiations, the hospital has “worked diligently to reach a fair and sustainable agreement, offering significant wage increases and improvements in workplace safety. Unfortunately, SEIU 1199 NE ended negotiations on May 7 and has not yet returned to the bargaining table, despite our continued willingness to resume talks.”
The union contends that management has failed to address their concerns regarding workplace violence and wages. “As the backbone of Rhode Island’s leading psychiatric hospital, Butler Hospital workers are fighting for better care for their patients during May’s Month of Mental Health Awareness,” said a union news release earlier this month.
Union officials also expressed disappointment with the hospital’s notification.
