Women & Infants caregivers hold informational picket as Care New England attempts unilateral changes
"I’m here today for an informational picket to demand respect from the hospital about the unilateral changes implemented when the ink isn’t dry on our 2024 contract."
Frontline staff at Women & Infants held an informational picket in front of the hospital to demand that Care New England stop unilaterally changing working conditions, which violates their contract and puts workers at risk. Workers also called for an end to abusive practices against dietary and EVS workers by Sodexo, the food services and facilities management company contracted by Care New England.
I spoke to Melissa Blaise, a registered nurse in the hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit:
Melissa Blaise: I’m here today for an informational picket to demand respect from the hospital about the unilateral changes implemented when the ink isn’t dry on our 2024 contract. The amount of respect they’ve shown to our different departments, including the Environmental Service Department (EVS) and dietary, is nothing I’ve seen in my 25 years. We’re demanding respect, and we’re also in solidarity with Butler Hospital and what they have going on. People need to realize it’s the year of the union, and you better get in or get out.
Steve Ahlquist: I heard you got a hospital notification about some layoffs.
Melissa Blaise: We got a notification yesterday that they will be doing 12 union layoffs, but they haven’t provided us with a list of the affected departments. They normally don’t cooperate with anything we have going on and hold information longer than they need to.
Steve Ahlquist: Do you know the timeline on the layoffs?
Melissa Blaise: I don’t know the timeline. Yesterday, the administration sent Heather Kelly, our union leadership, an email saying there would be 12 layoffs for union members. I think notices will start going out today, but I’m unaware of how they’re going out—email, texts, or meetings.
Steve Ahlquist: With all the things happening in healthcare across the country and in Rhode Island - with shutdowns, doctors leaving, and everything else, how much of this can we afford?
Melissa Blaise: We can’t afford any of it. This state’s healthcare system is struggling already, not to mention the Butler strike, the disrespect we’re receiving at Women & Infants Hospital, the Kent County Hospital layoffs, and the Providence Community Health Center just laid off 70 of their workers. We have an opioid epidemic, a mental health crisis, and we’re rapidly losing bedside nurses. We can’t afford to do that. Our patients, this community, and this state deserve better.
Over 2,000 hospital workers are part of SEIU 1199 New England, which earlier this year won a ground-breaking contract settlement with 13% wage increases, protections to pension and healthcare benefits, and a landmark expansion of the union’s training program.
