United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098, the union representing 2,400 workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, is encouraging members to apply for unemployment during a lockout, according to WPRI.
The workers, which include nurses, technicians and therapists, began a three-day strike about 3 p.m. July 23. They were willing to return to work at 3 p.m. July 26. However, Lifespan said it will not allow the workers to return until July 27 because of a commitment to temporary staff hired during the walkout.
Norman Farias, RN, executive vice president of UNAP Local 5098, told WPRI the union is encouraging workers to apply for unemployment for the 24 hours ending at 3 p.m. July 27 "because this is a day they would be working, and the hospital's telling them they can't."
It is unknown whether workers' claims will be approved by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
According to hospital officials, the union was notified about the hospitals' four-day commitment to temporary staff on July 13.
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