Frontline healthcare workers fined for striking — Rep. Morales calls out “MAGA-Style” tactics by Mayor Smiley

"Instead of standing with SEIU 1199 members, a majority of whom call Providence home, Mayor Smiley has chosen to punish them," said Representative Morales.

In response to the Smiley Administration’s attack on striking healthcare workers at Butler Hospital, State Representative David Morales issued the following statement:

“Between the lack of a fair contract with Care New England and the troubling news that unionized striking workers will be losing their health benefits, our healthcare workers are now facing an additional attack: $500 fines for exercising their right to strike and bringing attention to the mistreatment they face at Butler Hospital.

“These are frontline healthcare workers — some of whom are paid so poorly they are forced to live in their cars. Instead of standing with SEIU 1199 members, a majority of whom call Providence home, Mayor Smiley has chosen to punish them.

“This isn’t leadership. It’s intimidation. This is a page out of the MAGA Republican playbook.

“At a time when our healthcare system is stretched thin and frontline workers are burning out, Mayor Smiley is trying to silence them. As a State Representative, I will continue calling on Care New England to reach a fair agreement with SEIU 1199 that guarantees workers higher wages, safer working conditions, and improved patient care.

“We should be fighting alongside our Butler workers and every working family trying to make ends meet in our city.”

As Butler Hospital workers filled the Rhode Island State House yesterday to call on lawmakers to ensure that future state funding for hospitals prioritizes the investment in wages and staffing for frontline staff, Representative Morales stepped off the elevator and unambiguously expressed his support for the workers.

Last week, ahead of the strike, Representative Morales organized a letter signed by over 40 legislators urging Care New England to negotiate in good faith and avert the strike now unfolding. Since the start of the strike last Thursday, Representative Morales has actively participated in the picket line.

---

In a press release, Providence City Council leadership also weighed in on the Butler Hospital strike:

Yesterday, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller picketed with SEIU 1199 NE workers who were currently striking for better wages and working conditions at Butler Hospital. Under the leadership of Council President Miller, this council has again demonstrated its steadfast commitment to the rights of Providence workers to organize and collectively bargain.

Monday marked the fifth day of demonstrations by striking workers outside Butler, and the third day the council president marched alongside them. Her appearance yesterday followed reports that several workers were fined $500 for noise violations while exercising their right to demonstrate for a fair contract. Today, the media reported on a letter sent from hospital management to striking workers stating that their health coverage will be terminated on May 31. The council president condemns these punitive and reactionary measures in the strongest possible terms and reiterates the council’s firm support for union members to peacefully demonstrate without fear of reprisal.

“These striking workers are fighting back against unfair wages and unsafe conditions, in keeping with the long, proud tradition of organized labor in this country and here in Providence,” said Councilmember Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “Unfortunately, the bosses have also kept up their own tradition: a tradition of bad faith, suppression, and cowardice. And now, we have learned that management is taking the cruel and unnecessary step of cancelling health insurance for striking employees, an irony for these essential healthcare workers that should enrage us all. I am proud to stand with these workers, and proud to serve on a City Council that recognizes the fundamental right to collectively bargain, struggle, and win.”

Councilors also commend the demonstrating workers for their commitment to making their voices heard in a way that minimizes disruption for the surrounding neighborhood. To this end, organizers have chosen to observe quiet hours before 8 a.m. and avoid using bullhorns or other noisemakers. This willingness to respond to appeals from the community sets an example from which hospital management could draw a valuable lesson – meaningful progress is possible when built on a foundation of compassion and mutual respect, but that conversation is only possible when both sides are willing to listen.

“The striking employees at Butler perform demanding work often under extraordinary stress. They deserve a fair contract and have every right to organize toward that goal,” said Councilmember Helen Anthony (Ward 2), who represents the surrounding area. “I and many of my colleagues on the City Council stand in solidarity with the Butler employees, and we are grateful to both law enforcement and the demonstrators for ensuring that the workers’ essential right to strike is exercised peacefully and with respect for our neighbors.”

Councilors will continue to defend the rights of striking union members and amplify the voices and struggles of organized workers throughout the city. As they say on the picket line, ‘no contract, no peace.’