Groden Center caregivers reach tentative contract agreement, averting tomorrow's planned unfair labor practice strike
Upon ratification, further details on the contract will be revealed.
Frontline caregivers at Groden Center who provide essential services for children with autism have reached a tentative contract agreement with their employer late Monday night, thus averting plans for an unfair labor practice strike beginning Thursday, November 7th.
Groden Center’s 38 Behavioral specialists, who are members of SEIU 1199 New England, began contract negotiations in June 2024. After holding a three-day strike on September 11, 2024, and announcing an unfair labor practice strike beginning on Thursday, November 7, union staff reached a landmark agreement with management that provides significant wage increases and puts workers on a path to a living wage.
Groden Center Behavioral Specialists work with children and youth with autism from preschool age to 22, implementing an academic and vocational program designed to help them improve communication and life skills. Low wages exacerbated a chronic staffing shortage, which put children and staff at greater safety risk.
See:
Groden Center caregivers of children with autism vote for a 3-day strike starting September 11
Groden Center Behavioral Specialists hit the picket line for a three-day strike
Day two of the 3-day Groden Center strike features a dozen General Assembly visitors
District 1199 SEIU New England represents 29,000 health care and service workers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southeastern Massachusetts. In Rhode Island, 1199 SEIU NE represents 5,000 members. 1199 SEIU NE is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – a union of over 2 million members across the country.
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