Care New England Strike: Permanent Replacements Sought
- Butler hospital in Providence, R.I., will begin the process of hiring permanent replacements for employees currently on strike.
- Mary Marran, hospital president and COO, said the decision to seek permanent replacements is essential to maintain patient care and service stability.
- According to the hospital, employees who are permanently replaced due to the strike will be put on a preferential hire list.
Care New England’s Butler Hospital is moving forward with hiring permanent replacements amidst an ongoing strike by its workers, a pivotal decision that underscores the escalating labor dispute. The action, stemming from the open-ended strike initiated May 15 over pay and safety concerns, signals a notable escalation in the conflict involving roughly 800 staff members, including nurses and mental health workers. While the hospital cites the need to ensure patient care, the union views this as a challenge to their job security. Notably, those replaced may be eligible for preferential rehiring. News Directory 3 provides ongoing coverage of this developing story. What does the future hold for the striking workers and the hospital? Discover what’s next related to this primarykeyword labor dispute and the impact of the secondarykeyword on patient care.
Butler Hospital to Hire Replacement Workers Amid Ongoing Strike
Updated June 3, 2025
Butler hospital in Providence, R.I., will begin the process of hiring permanent replacements for employees currently on strike. The move comes as the strike by District 1199 SEIU New England enters its third week. The union, representing approximately 800 hospital staff, including nurses and mental health workers, initiated the open-ended strike May 15, citing disputes over pay and workplace safety as the primary reasons for the labor action.
Mary Marran, hospital president and COO, said the decision to seek permanent replacements is essential to maintain patient care and service stability. The hospital’s role in the community necessitates this action, according to Marran.
According to the hospital, employees who are permanently replaced due to the strike will be put on a preferential hire list. Thay may be rehired as positions become available.The hospital says it welcomes employees back to work.
The labor contract negotiations between the union and Care New England management began in March. The union voted to authorize a strike in April.
Last month,the hospital announced that striking employees’ benefits would expire June 1,with the last paycheck issued May 23. Affected workers received details regarding COBRA and other benefit options. However, the union reported that hundreds of workers have enrolled in health insurance through HealthSource RI, the state’s health insurance marketplace.
“Stripping Butler employees of their job security and healthcare benefits is not how you build a better hospital,” Jesse Martin, executive vice president for SEIU 1199 New England, said. “Real enhancement comes from respecting workers’ voices, honoring their contributions, and paying them fairly to ensure both staff and patient safety.”
what’s next
The hospital will proceed with posting job openings. The union is expected to continue its labor action, advocating for improved pay and working conditions for its members. The impact on patient care and hospital operations remains to be seen as the strike continues.