Smiley Administration is issuing $500 tickets to striking Butler Hospital workers

“To me, it looks like the police, under orders from the mayor, are targeting low-income, women workers advocating for living wages and decent working conditions.”

The Providence Police Department warns passing motorists not to express support for striking Butler Hospital workers.

Providence Police Officers targeted striking Butler Hospital workers using bullhorns on the picket line, and passing motorists honking their horns to support the striking workers, with $500 fines for violating the city’s noise ordinances. The tickets were issued, said Josh Estrella, Director of Communications for Mayor Brett Smiley, after the city received “multiple complaints from neighbors and providers in the area,” that is, East Side residents with homes on Blackstone Boulevard and Rochambeau Avenue, “concerned about the excessive levels of noise resulting from this demonstration.”

Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199 NE, told me that the union had reached out to the city and made a deal to only use the bullhorns between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., but tickets were issued subsequent to that agreement. Enforcement has been selective: I learned that Providence Police Officers have not issued tickets to everyone using a bullhorn on the picket line.

“When I heard that Butler workers were being ticketed and threatened with arrests, I spoke with the Chief of Police to learn more,” said Providence City Council President Rachel Miller. “I went to join the picket line to see for myself if steep fines and enforcement were warranted, and if I could be helpful in mediating. I found a peaceful picket line. After using a bullhorn myself for quite some time, I was not issued a fine. Whether or not this was by explicit direction is a question you would have to ask the mayor’s office.”

Director of Communications Estrella did not answer that part of my query. He also declined to answer when I asked if the administration was aware that some of the striking Butler Hospital workers are paid so poorly they live in their cars, that the workers are not entitled to the level of health care for themselves and their families that they routinely provide on the job, or that 60% of the workers at Butler Hospital have reported that they’ve had to choose between food and housing costs.

“To me,” I wrote in my query, “it looks like the police, under orders from the mayor, are targeting low-income women workers advocating for living wages and decent working conditions.”

While I understand that some on the East Side dislike the racket they can hear from the sumptuous elegance of their Blackstone Boulevard mini-mansions, stacked against health care workers sleeping in their cars and Butler Hospital illegally threatening to cancel their health insurance, the equation cannot be balanced. Issuing $500 tickets to these struggling workers is a moral failure.

Director of Communications Estrella did not respond to that part of my query either. Here’s his response in full:

“While the City recognizes and respects Butler Hospital workers' right to peacefully and lawfully strike, we have received multiple complaints from neighbors and providers in the area concerned about the excessive levels of noise resulting from this demonstration. This campus includes the hospital, elderly housing and an active childcare facility that the city also has a duty to keep safe. Yesterday, the City engaged the organizers of this strike to share copies of Providence's ordinances and is continuing to monitor noise levels and parking for compliance with all local ordinances. Unfortunately after that engagement, summons were issued following a warning to individuals that were found in continued violation of ordinances in accordance with our standard enforcement practices. Additional signage was also added to ensure that everyone understands noise restrictions in a residential neighborhood.

“Our teams have been in contact with leadership to encourage a swift and fair end to these negotiations that is in the best interest of the staff and community that Butler calls home and serves.”

Here’s the response from Council President Miller in full:

“Yesterday, I was disappointed to hear that striking workers at Butler Hospital were given $500 fines for noise violations. The workers at Butler Hospital are on strike for their rights and dignity on the job, including tackling poverty-level wages and unsafe conditions. I have joined the picket line on three of the five days they have been on strike so far and there are two big takeaways. Firstly, they are peacefully demonstrating for their rights; and secondly, they would much rather be at work and are deeply committed to the patients in their care. Unfortunately, the conditions of their employment and the unwillingness of Butler management to negotiate in good faith has forced them to take this serious step. I have also made it a point to thank the officers at the site each time, who are themselves working long hours to keep people safe.

“When I heard that Butler workers were being ticketed and threatened with arrests, I spoke with the Chief of Police to learn more. I went to join the picket line to see for myself if steep fines and enforcement were warranted, and if I could be helpful in mediating. I found a peaceful picket line. After using a bullhorn myself for quite some time, I was not issued a fine. Whether or not this was by explicit direction is a question you would have to ask the mayor's office. No striking worker taking protected action to stand up for their rights to safe working conditions and decent wages should have to worry about unnecessary fines. It is also worth noting that over the years, I have fielded many noise complaints from neighbors and have witnessed egregious and willful violations of the noise ordinance that very rarely are responded to with $500 fines. Under my leadership, the Providence City Council will continue to stand on the side of workers in our city. Every labor right we enjoy from the 8-hour workday to equal pay has come about because people in the labor movement have come together to demand it.”

There is a lot more I can say here, but I’ll end with this: It would be fair to say that I have been to at least 90% of the protests and rallies that have taken place in Providence over the last decade, and a good number of such events across the state. I have also attended, for at least a brief time, an equal percentage of union actions and pickets. I cannot recall one instance of noise violations being issued to protesters or picketers.

Ask yourself, then ask Mayor Smiley: What makes this picket action different?