Butler Hospital announces closure of addiction unit, puts blame on union

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– Butler Hospital announced that they will be closing their addiction unit next week as a strike by workers nears the three-month mark.

In a statement, the hospital put the blame for the closures on SEIU 1199NE, the union representing striking workers at the hospital.

Unionized workers at Butler have been on strike since May 15, citing poor pay, safety conditions, and healthcare as the reasons for the strike. The two sides returned to the bargaining table this week after 98 percent of workers previously rejected a proposal from hospital leadership on July 30.

The hospital also said that it is operating at 50 percent of its 197-bed capacity due to the strikes.

In a statement, Butler Hospital President and COO Mary Marran said “If SEIU’s political leaders truly cared about the vulnerable patients who rely on Butler Hospital, they would stop moving the goal posts and work in good faith to end this strike. We understand the responsibility we have to our patients, which is why we’ve provided SEIU with a sustainable, market-leading contract and have made considerable concessions to address their concerns.”

ABC 6 has reached out to SEIU 1199NE for comment.