Members of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) Local 5098 have issued a ten-day strike notice to Rhode Island Hospital.

The strike will commence Monday, July 23 at 3:00pm and continue until Thursday, July 26, at 3:00pm. At 3:00pm on Thursday, July 26, UNAP Local 5098 will make an unconditional offer to return to work.

“We do not take this step lightly and urge Lifespan executives to return to the bargaining table as quickly as possible so that a fair and competitive deal may be reached,” said Frank Sims, RN, president of UNAP Local 5098.

UNAP members overwhelmingly voted Thursday to reject Lifespan‘s contract offer.

“Our members took up their professions because they wanted to help and care for people, and they remain among the best-trained and most-dedicated health workers in our state. But their dedication has only been met by derision, as Lifespan fails to value and properly support the life-saving work our members perform every day. That must change,” Sims added.

A copy of the strike notice was sent electronically and via fax and US mail to Lifespan this afternoon. UNAP represents more than 2,400 nurses, therapists, technologists and other allied health professionals at Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s Hospitals.

[From a press release]