PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098, which represents nurses and healthcare workers at Rhode Island Hospital, said that an informational picket was held on Friday. The picket was held due to the negotiations taking place between the unit and Brown Unive rsity Health, which owns the hospital. The union said that the hospital has “failed to provide safety protections or offer a contract that provides safe staffing levels, a safe, affordable health insurance plan, or family-sustaining wages.” “Brown University Health is spending their vast resources doling out multi-million dollar executive salaries, buying up Massachusetts hospitals, and running glitzy Super Bowl ads on TV,” local President Frank Sims said. “Quite frankly, Brown University Health’s priorities are backwards, and we’re calling on them to fix that. It’s time to put patient care front and center – and start respecting the nurses and healthcare workers who deliver that care.” Brown University Health released a statement on the picket, and said that the hospital was “committed to investing” in its workforce while provide a safe environment for employees and patients. The full statement can be read below: Rhode Island Hospital is committed to investing in our talented workforce and providing a safe environment for our employees and patients, while supporting the health of our communities. Our dedicated and compassionate nurses, tech staff, case managers, and support staff are central to our mission of serving patients across our region – we are deeply grateful for all that they do. We are negotiating with United Nurses and Allied Professionals on a new contract for our nurses and health care workers at Rhode Island Hospital, and we will work with them in good faith to reach a fair and equitable agreement. Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island ...read more read less