Business & Tech
Groden Center Staff On Strike In Coventry, Providence: Video
Behavior specialists represented by the SEIU Local 1199 union are demanding safer classrooms and higher wages for staff.
COVENTRY, RI — The support staff at the Groden Center schools in Providence and Coventry went on strike Tuesday. The Groden Center is a nonprofit school serving the needs of students with autism.
Behavior specialists represented by the SEIU Local 1199 union are demanding safer classrooms and higher wages for staff.
"Can you imagine trying to make ends meet on around $24,000 a year?" SEIU Local 1199 Rhode Island asked in a Facebook post. That's what a newly-hired employee at the Groden Center school earns, so it's no wonder they struggle to recruit and retain staff to help care for and educate children with severe autism."
Find out what's happening in Coventryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Groden Center officials told Turn to 10 they offered wage increases, but said they will not pay staff stipends during school vacation.
Tuesday is the second day of the planned three-day strike. Behavior specialist previously went on strike for one day on Aug. 17 for fairer wages.
Find out what's happening in Coventryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Image via Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.