Members of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098 protest outside of Rhode Island Hospital. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News.

Andrew Augustus, WPRO News

A sea of purple and white fills the sidewalks of Dudley and Eddy Street in front of Rhode Island Hospital as more than 300 members of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) Local 5098 hold an informational picket. The union says this was in response “to Lifespan’s ongoing attempt to reduce compensation and benefits of frontline caregivers, while paying top executives millions of dollars a year.”

“There are short staffing conditions at the hospital that we have presented hundreds of short staffing forms to the administration that have gone ignored,” said. Helene Macedo, president of UNAP Local 5098.

UNAP says Lifespan is seeking to cut contributions to the retirement security of union employees. They say that type of move would result in the loss of thousands of dollars to a member’s retirement

Members of the union have authorized the contract negotiating committee to issue a ten day strike notice to Rhode Island Hospital, in the event an equitable agreement cannot be reached.

“Our main goal is to get a contract that we feel is equitable and respectful to the staff,” said Macedo.

UNAP has agreed to have at least four more negotiating session in July.

In addition to the picket, UNAP will also begin a media campaign calling attention to Lifespan’s “ongoing efforts to disrespect and devalue frontline caregivers.”

In a statement, Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) said “RIH and UNAP have been in talks for several months toward reaching a new contract. A three-year agreement expired on June 30. Both parties agreed to extend the contract until July 31, with the hope a new agreement will be put in place by then. RIH’s goal is to achieve a fair contract that reflects the valuable role of our 2,200 nurses and tech staff, while recognizing the reality of a challenging economic climate and supporting our ability to respond responsibly to changing patient needs and care delivery. We want to assure our staff and our patients that if UNAP leadership chooses to give the hospital a 10-day strike notice, RIH is fully prepared to continue providing the high quality health care our patients have come to expect from the state’s major tertiary and trauma care hospital.”

The hospital says they are disappointed with the vote as well was “UNAP’s public campaign against the hospital, including inflammatory and inaccurate characterizations made by the union that distract from a productive and respectful dialouge.”