Butler Hospital, striking workers set to return to bargaining table

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — For the first time in almost two weeks, striking workers at Butler Hospital will sit down with the hospital’s leadership for bargaining on Tuesday morning.

The workers, represented by SEIU 1199, will be bringing a bargaining committee consisting of 40 workers to the table with Care New England, who owns the hospital.

Talks had previously been called off on June 5, with the striking workers saying proposals from leadership were dwindling while management said that the union was not taking the process seriously.

In the ensuing time, workers on strike held a thirty-hour sit-in at Care New England headquarters to try to bring the hospital back to the negotiating table.

The two sides will meet for talks at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

In a statement on the matter, Butler Hospital President and COO Mary E. Marran said in part:

“Butler Hospital returned to the bargaining table with SEIU 1199 NE today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, with the same commitment we have maintained throughout these contract negotiations, to reach a fair and sustainable agreement that supports our staff and our patients.”