Lifespan Workers to Picket Rhode Island Hospital

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Lifespan Workers to Picket Rhode Island Hospital

Rhode Island Hospital
Hospital workers and community activists will hold an “informational picket” in front of Rhode Island Hospital on Thursday, January 29 at 2pm, as part of a labor campaign for "Good Jobs & Quality Care at Lifespan".

Nearly 2,500 Teamster employees are in negotiations at Rhode Island Hospital for a new contract. As part of the negotiations, Local 251 has been joined by community organizations to make proposals to protect and improve quality patient care.

According to RI Jobs with Justice, Lifespan has rejected proposals from the union to require the Hospital to “maintain sufficient staff and adequate supplies.”  Management has also rejected a proposal that states that, “providing quality care to patients and their families is the top objective of the Hospital and that poor working conditions, inadequate staffing levels, inadequate supplies, and improper equipment undermine quality care.”

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A statement on the Teamsters Local 251 website referred to the Hospital’s proposals as "a slap in the face to every Rhode Island Hospital employee and every person in the community that is concerned about good jobs and quality patient care."

The Teamster contract with Rhode Island Hospital, which expired on December 31, is extended through today. The two sides are in contract talks today. An agreement is not expected.

“Lifespan isn’t hearing workers and the community’s concerns at the negotiating table, so we are coming together to raise our voices in front of the Hospital,” said Jesse Strecker, Executive Director of RI Jobs With Justice. “Workers and the community will continue to speak up until Lifespan comes to a fair agreement on proposals to protect good jobs and quality care.”


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