1199 SEIU Rhode Island

05/15/2026

🌧️ 💜 💪 One year ago today, Butler caregivers made history.
On May 15, 2025, hundreds of Butler caregivers launched what became the state's longest hospital strike to demand an end to unsafe working conditions, better wages and more respect.

One year later, the results of their efforts is clear:
✅ Workplace violence incidents are down 73%
✅ Turnover has dropped from an annual 37% to a projected 17%
✅ Nearly every worker now earns at least $20/hour
✅ Workers gained access to the union’s training and education fund.

“We feel proud of what we have accomplished for ourselves, our patients and each other. We know there is still more work to do, and we will never stop advocating for our patients and those of us who have committed to giving them the care they deserve." - Ben Degnan, Mental Health Worker

Let’s celebrate the courage, conviction and unity of Butler workers who never stopped believing the power of solidarity to create a better future for themselves and their patients.


Song Credit: Ian Lacombe, Butler worker (Bob Dylan) | Photo credits: .sindayiganza

05/12/2026

🩺🏥It is National Nurses Week and every day, dedicated nurses across our state care for hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders - from when they are born through every stage of life.

Today, Congressman Gabe Amo joined frontline nurses from our union that work in hospitals and nursing homes to hear about their challenges and ideas for how to strengthen the nursing profession.

Whether it is addressing funding cuts at the federal level or chronic staffing pressures, long term solutions will require ongoing dialogue, collaboration and commitment. 1199NE nurses are up for the challenge! 💜💪

Happy Nurses Week and thank you Gabe Amo for Congress for taking the time to listen, support, and recognize the contributions nurses make every single day!



https://www.veed.io/view/7335ff1d-466a-45bc-97eb-5a482884eb00?source=Folder+New+Flow+Option&panel=share

05/11/2026

📢 Dozens of Rhode Island SEIU members and community allies gathered en mass last week for the Budget Revenue Day of Action, urging lawmakers to pass Rhode Island’s Revenue Bill (H7313 / S2238) and create a fairer tax system for working families.

Frontline workers spoke out about rising costs, staffing shortages, and the threat of federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The revenue bill would add a 3% tax on income above $640,000, generating nearly $200 million annually to protect healthcare and public services.

“As a home care worker, I receive no vacation, sick days or health insurance. I have osteoporosis and fibromyalgia and the insurance I buy myself went up from $500 to $1,022 a month in January. With federal cuts ahead, we need our elected officials to act now and protect families like mine," said Wanda Seed, home care and nursing home worker.

The Economic Progress Institute Representative Karen Alzate Senator Melissa Murray



Photo credits:

05/08/2026

🖍️ 📚🍏 Today is Provider Appreciation Day where we honor the essential role of family childcare providers and early educators.

But for the 363 SEIU 1199NE family childcare providers who have been trying to bargain a new contract for nearly a year, gratitude is not enough. On March 2, DHS offered their "last, best and final offer" that:

❎ failed to provide an adequate funding increase,
❎ rejected our healthcare stipend, and
❎ refused funding to help providers take paid time off.

These providers care for children, support working families, and strengthen our communities - yet many still can’t afford healthcare, paid time off, or rising business costs. Family child care providers deserve more than appreciation once a year. They deserve respect, support and a fair contract.

05/07/2026

💜💪1199NE Caregivers at Carvalho Grove and Country Gardens in Massachusetts are standing up and demanding MORE - for their residents and themselves.

While Royal Health Group spent an estimated $1 million on temporary agency staffing, frontline workers are still fighting for fair wages and better staffing conditions.

Stand with the workers as they fight for:
✅ Fair wages
✅ Better staffing and retention
✅ Quality care for residents

Swansea & Fall River, MA - Frontline union caregivers at Country Gardens and Carvalho Grove nursing homes will hold simultaneous informational pickets Wednesday, according to their union. The union states that nursing home workers, who are members of SEIU 1199 New England, have been attemptin

04/14/2026

✊Frontline caregivers from Butler Hospital and Women & Infants showed up in force last week to call for real solutions to end the staffing crisis in our hospitals

The proposed Hospital Staffing Commission would bring together caregivers, patient advocates, hospital administrators and elected officials to review staffing and safety data, question hospitals about their staffing decisions and recommend next steps to the General Assembly.

For too long, caregivers have raised concerns about short staffing, safety risks, and burnout. “Many of us went on strike to address issues that we could control - now we need help to change what is out of our control,” said Beth Iams, Activities Therapist, Butler Hospital

📣 Stand with caregivers. Support safe staffing. Support better care.

04/09/2026

🚨Pawtucket Falls caregivers are standing up and speaking out.

After years of ownership changes, frontline staff are now facing demands for major concessions - including a 1.5% wage increase, hikes to healthcare costs and slashed holiday pay - as they try to bargain a contract with their new owners.

These workers aren’t just employees - they are the backbone of quality care. And they deserve respect, fair contracts, and a real voice on the job.

✊Thank you to Sabina Matos, Representative Seth Magaziner, Pawtucket Mayor Grebien and Senator Lori Urso - District 8 for standing with caregivers in their struggle for dignity and respect.

03/12/2026

🤔 A “raise” that actually means less pay... and less care.

Ronjena Henderson has been caring for her mom, Shirleen, since 2024 through RI's Personal Choice program. Shirleen lives with congestive heart failure, is in remission for stage four ovarian cancer, has a pacemaker and COPD.

Recently, the state told Ronjena she was getting a raise to $16/hour while at the same time cutting her mom’s care five hours a week. “This is not a raise; we are now making less income overall and my mom needs more care, not less.”

It is time Rhode Island values the work of family home care providers, pays them what they are worth and settles a fair contract!

👉READ Ronjena and Shirleen's story: https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/09/minimum-wage-increase-actually-means-less-income-for-ri-family-home-care-providers/

02/13/2026

💪🏽👏🔥Join us in congratulating our fellow SEIU 1199NE members at Greenville Center for voting YES to a strong new contract. This agreement delivers up to a 6.6% wage increase, better pay protections when working short, important updates to the staffing grid, and continued access to affordable healthcare. This was not an easy fight but Greenville workers stayed united and never gave up. Congratulations on your well-earned win!

02/12/2026

With deep regret, RISNA and 1199 SEIU Rhode Island have made the difficult decision to cancel tonight's vigil. Please see our joint statement here.