Butler Hospital posts job listings to replace striking permanent employees

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Butler Hospital has begun posting job listings for permanent replacement employees in response to SEIU 1199 NE’s strike, according to a statement from Butler Hospital President and COO Mary E. Marran.

In the statement, Marran said:

We sincerely hoped this step would not become necessary. However, as we are now into the third week of SEIU 1199 NE’s strike, we believe this action is essential to ensure continuity of patient care and maintain the stability of our services.

Following Federal Law, striking employees who have been permanently replaced will not return to work once the strike ends. Instead, those employees will be placed on a preferential hire list and will be able to return once a position becomes available. As we have said throughout this entire process, we welcome employees back to work at any time.

When reached for comment, SEIU 1199 NE Executive Vice President Jesse Martin said:

Mary Marran’s claims of heartfelt concern for Butler Hospital employees are perverse in light of her decision to replace dedicated frontline staff — some of whom have served the hospital since graduating high school — with out-of-state, temporary workers.

Not only is this immoral, it is illegal in light of the hospital’s unfair labor practices. Stripping Butler employees of their job security and healthcare benefits is not how you build a better hospital. Real improvement comes from respecting workers’ voices, honoring their contributions, and paying them fairly to ensure both staff and patient safety.

SEIU 1199 NE began their strike on May 15 claiming that Butler Hospital has not addressed the union’s concerns regarding wages and workplace safety.

Marran said at the time that the union walked away from a May 7 bargaining session.