Workers at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence have voted to authorize a potential strike, according to a Rhode Island Public Radio report.
The vote comes as contract negotiations are ongoing between the hospital and the Service Employees International Union, which represents nurses and other workers at Women & Infants.
Union members said a key sticking point in negotiations is staffing levels, according to the report. Union spokesman Patrick Quinn told Rhode Island Public Radio the hospital has had a hiring freeze, and many nurses on staff are close to retirement age.
"Every day we're struggling to take care of people in a safe competent way. And we want to make sure we have enough staff to do that," he said.
A vote to authorize a potential strike does not mean a strike will take place. SEIU would still have to issue a formal declaration of a strike and give Women & Infants 10 days notice before a walkout would occur.
The union will decide whether to issue a strike order by Wednesday evening, according to Mr. Quinn.
Women & Infants Hospital officials said the hospital is asking for some flexibility in the work rules, particularly related to scheduling. "If we are able to achieve greater flexibility, it will help keep Women & Infants strong as a workplace and as the premier provider of care for women and newborn children," they said.
Women & Infants Hospital added that it is prepared to respond to any threat of a strike with a comprehensive contingency plan.
"Should a work stoppage occur, the hospital will issue detailed instructions to the patient and provider community on how to continue to access services and programs at Women & Infants," the hospital said. "We certainly hope that there will not be a strike, and we are working hard to reach an agreement. We believe that the best approach to reach a fair, competitive contract is to continue to bargain in good faith, as we have been doing since September 2016."