Butler Hospital Workers Share Striking Concerns Amid Ongoing Strike
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Workers at Butler Hospital, currently on strike, have begun to voice alarming personal accounts of unsafe working conditions and staffing shortages. One employee, Mohammad Malki, shared his traumatic experience of being assaulted by a patient, resulting in serious injuries that necessitated brain surgery and nearly a year away from work. "He just punched me right in the face," Malki described, highlighting the increasing violence health care workers face.
As the strike enters its ninth day, nearly 700 unionized workers are advocating for safer environments, livable wages, and reliable benefits, fearing a freeze on their health insurance by month’s end. Negotiations with the hospital’s parent company, Care New England, remain stalled, with staff emphasizing that these demands are vital for the hospital’s success.
In response, Butler Hospital President Mary Marran asserted that they are negotiating in good faith and have proposed significant wage increases and safety enhancements. However, the union claims the hospital has not engaged in discussions since May. A mediation session is scheduled for Wednesday, as workers remain resolute in addressing their pressing concerns and ensuring better conditions for both staff and patients.
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