Nurses from 2 R.I. hospitals go on strike
Contract negotiations fall through; union says expect week-long strike
PROVIDENCE — Nurses at two Rhode Island hospitals went on strike Monday after negotiators couldn’t agree on contract terms during a meeting requested by a federal mediator.
About 2,400 nurses and other health care workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital began what’s expected to be a week-long strike. Picketers gathered outside Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence when their shift ended at 3 p.m.
The strike was set by Local 5098 of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals.
Hospital operator Lifespan said it offered wage increases ranging from 9 percent to 25 percent over four years, but the union sought increases of up to 28 percent and other economic proposals.
Lifespan said that rendered their offer “simply unrealistic.” Spokesman David Levesque said the hospital has offered “extremely competitive wage and benefits packages.”
A union spokesman said they did not ask for 28 percent, but declined to say specifically what they requested. Ray Sullivan said they’re not going to negotiate the contract in the media.
The union has said it’s fighting for a fair, competitive contract. Local 5098 President Frank Sims said front-line caregivers are being ordered to do more with less while wealthy executives profit. He said it’s a “difficult day for all of us.”
Rhode Island Hospital is the only Level 1 trauma center in the state and an accredited burn center. Hasbro Children’s Hospital has the only pediatric emergency department and pediatric critical care teams in the region, according to Lifespan.
UNAP represents 2,400 nurses, technologists, therapists and health professionals at the two hospitals.
Lifespan has hired temporary nurses. It says its operating income last year was $14.6 million, or an operating margin of seven-tenths of a percentage point.
State health officials said patient volume at the hospitals will be reduced and care would only be provided if appropriate staff is onsite.
The union has said the strike would end Friday at 3 p.m., regardless of where negotiations stand.