Still without a contract, UNAP holds informational picket outside Rhode Island Hospital

Members of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) Local 5098 resumed informational picketing outside Rhode Island Hospital on Monday.

“We’re here today to let people know that we’re still working without a contract and that we’d like to have a contract as soon as possible,” said William Deware, UNAP 5098 treasurer. “We wanted the information to get out there that nothing has changed. We still haven’t gone back to negotiations. We’re here to ensure that ourselves and our patients receive the best care they can get.”

Last week the union voted “no confidence” in Lifespan CEO Timothy Babineau and Rhode Island Hospital President Margaret Van Bree. The union also voted to authorize members of its bargaining team to issue a 10-day strike notice, in the event that negotiations with Lifespan again break down. A second vote by the membership would have to occur before moving forward with a strike and the bargaining team has no immediate plans to issue a strike notice before both sides return to the table on August 8th. UNAP members continue to work under a contract that expired on June 30th.

The union will conduct an informational picket tomorrow, August 7, outside the campus of Miriam Hospital, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.