Employees at Rhode Island Hospital have agreed to issue a 10-day strike notice over disputes with the organization, Brooke Reeves of Teamsters Local 251, which represents the employees, told WPRI.
Ms. Reeves said in the report that 95 percent of the members who voted on the issue Wednesday were in agreement, and the workers' overall goal is "good jobs and quality care at Rhode Island Hospital."
On its website, Teamsters Local 251 said putting pressure on hospital management has led to some progress for employees. However, the union still believes there is work to be done to get a fair contract, and that is why the strike notice authorization vote was scheduled.
If contract negotiations continue to be unsuccessful, employees at the hospital will vote on whether to go through with the strike, Ms. Reeves told WPRI.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the hospital said it believes its current contract proposals recognize the important work of hospital employees represented by the union, along with "the need to maintain an economically responsible approach to operating RIH," and is disappointed to learn that plans moved forward for a vote to authorize a strike.
"The vote process came despite recent movement by the hospital on key wage and benefit proposals," the hospital said.
The hospital plans to hire temporary workers if the employees do go on strike.
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