Frontline Healthcare Workers Fined for Striking — Rep. Morales Calls Out “MAGA-Style” Tactics by Mayor Smiley

PROVIDENCE, RI — In response to the Smiley Administration’s attack against striking healthcare workers at Butler Hospital, State Representative David Morales issued the following statement:

“Between the lack of a fair contract with Care New England and the troubling news that unionized striking workers will be losing their health benefits, our healthcare workers are now facing an additional attack: $500 fines for exercising their right to strike and bringing attention to the mistreatment they face at Butler Hospital.

These are frontline healthcare workers — some of whom are paid so poorly they are forced to live in their cars. Instead of standing with SEIU 1199 members, a majority of whom call Providence home, Mayor Smiley has chosen to punish them.

This isn’t leadership. It’s intimidation. This is a page out of the MAGA Republican playbook.

At a time when our healthcare system is stretched thin and frontline workers are burning out, Mayor Smiley is trying to silence them. As a State Representative, I will continue calling on Care New England to reach a fair agreement with SEIU 1199 — one that guarantees workers higher wages, safer working conditions, and improved patient care.

We should be fighting alongside our Butler workers and every working family trying to make ends meet in our city.”

Last week, ahead of the strike, Representative Morales organized a letter signed by over 40 legislators, urging Care New England to negotiate in good faith and avert the strike now unfolding. Since the start of the strike last Thursday, Representative Morales has actively been a part of the picket line.