Providence council adopts resolution backing Butler Hospital striking workers

The Providence City Council on June 5 adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with more than 700 Butler Hospital workers who have been on strike since May 15 and calling on Care New England and Butler Hospital leadership to return to the bargaining table.

The resolution, read into the record during the meeting, recited the union's claims that low wages, staffing shortages and workplace violence have contributed to unsafe conditions and that some positions start at $15.30 an hour. It called on Care New England to negotiate in good faith and stated that the council “stands in full solidarity with the striking workers of Butler Hospital.”

Council members including Majority Whip Sanchez and Councilman Reyes urged the council to support the striking workers and criticized reports that Butler had sought to terminate health coverage for some striking employees. Councilman Reyes noted that he and other councilors joined the picket line and described striking employees as community members helping to search for a missing child while on the picket line.

The resolution directed that, upon passage, copies be transmitted to the president and CEO of Care New England, Butler Hospital leadership and SEIU District 1199NE. The council adopted the resolution as part of a group of items (23—627) that were passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded for that specific resolution in the transcript beyond the motion that carried the grouped items.

Ending: The council's resolution signals formal municipal support for the union's bargaining position and asks the hospital system to return to mediation; the resolution also directs transmittal of the council's action to state and hospital leadership.