UNAP

When the leaders of Brown University and Lifespan announced their new affiliation, creating Brown University Health, they offered enthusiastic support for their employees. Brown University Health CEO John Fernandez and Brown University President Christina Paxson spoke of investing in the workforce and generating high-paying jobs opportunities, and implied that benefits would stay the same for current employees after the affiliation. They spoke about improving patient care at their hospitals.

Yet not even a year later, they have already gone back on their word during contract negotiations with the nurses and healthcare workers at Rhode Island Hospital, proposing a drastic reduction in employee benefits and below-market wages. Management has also resisted proposals designed to improve staffing and patient outcomes. With the amount of money Brown University and Brown University Health have, this treatment of patients and healthcare workers is unnecessary and completely unacceptable.

We are calling on them to stop belittling the patients and healthcare workers at Rhode Island Hospital, and start treating them with the respect and dignity they deserve. It's time to settle a fair contract.

Visit respectRIpatients.com to take action.