Unionized Women & Infants caregivers to picket over staffing shortage ahead of holiday weekend

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Women & Infants caregivers will picket for better working conditions ahead of the holiday weekend.

Those represented by SEIU 1199NE are citing severe staffing shortages and patient care issues.

The union said that for the last six months, they have asked for a Patient Care Council to address the issues that employees are facing.

“In response, the employer has refused to allow the process to move forward, attempting to limit which union delegates can be present, a violation of the contract,” the union said in a statement.

Union caregivers said the issues were even worse over the Thanksgiving holiday, and they are concerned for a repeat over Christmas and New Year’s.

They will picket in front of the hospital at 101 Dudley St. in Providence from noon to 5 p.m.

ABC 6 News obtained the following statement from Care New England:

“Today, SEIU1199 is performing informational picketing at Women & Infants Hospital. All patient services are open, we are staffed to provide quality patient care, and there will be no disruption to that care. We are disappointed that 1199SEIU has decided to use valuable time leafleting when we have been, and are currently, engaged in discussions together to create the best staffing plans for the holiday season and enhance our process for a patient care council. We believe with continued dialogue we can find common ground that provides for our two mutual priorities – patient safety and time off for our dedicated team members.”