As the coronavirus pandemic continues to burden the healthcare system, a union representing 1,500 nurses at two shore hospitals took the first step Friday toward authorizing a strike should contract negotiations with Hackensack Meridian Health fail.
The nurses at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin voted to allow the union bargaining committees “to call a strike or another form of concerted activity” if they are unable to reach an agreement, Health Professionals and Allied Employees announced.
The union is seeking weekly meetings with management to discuss the availability of protective equipment in case the virus returns aggressively, as many public health experts have predicted, HPAE President Debbie White said.
The contract expires on May 31.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage
“As we head into a busy holiday weekend, we have concerns that there could be a spike even sooner if people aren’t observing the strictest social distancing protocols,” White said. “Our nurses had a desperate need for PPE during this pandemic and were not well protected. Adding insult to injury, while many of them got sick and some died, employers were disciplining healthcare workers for persisting in discussing their safety concerns on the job.”
A Hackensack Meridian Health spokeswoman issued a statement calling HPAE’s decision to take a strike vote “fairly common.”
“Hackensack Meridian Health is engaged in ongoing discussions with HPAE and will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a new contract. We would prefer to settle these negotiations without unnecessary disputes or delays,” according to the statement. “Should HPAE choose otherwise, we have a comprehensive strike contingency plan so our patients will continue to receive the safe, quality care they expect from Hackensack Meridian Health.”
Tensions have been high between the hospital and the labor union throughout the outbreak. HPAE has filed complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging the medical center has failed to provide sufficient personal protective equipment, like respirators, gloves and gowns, as well as other unsafe practices.
The union also cried foul last month after Jersey Shore fired a nurse, who is also a union official, for publicly defending a colleague complaining about the lack of personal protective equipment.
At the peak of outbreak on April 14, 8,084 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, according to data from the New Jersey Hospital Association. On May 20, 3,208 patients were hospitalized, a 60% decline from the peak.
Jersey Shore and Southern Ocean Medical Center are two of Hackensack Meridian Health’s 12 acute-care hospitals. It is the largest hospital network in the state.
Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
—
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.
"strike" - Google News
May 23, 2020 at 05:18AM
https://ift.tt/3cYdQx1
Nurses union authorizes strike vote amid strain over working conditions in coronavirus crisis - NJ.com
"strike" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WheuPk
https://ift.tt/2VWImBB
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Nurses union authorizes strike vote amid strain over working conditions in coronavirus crisis - NJ.com"
Post a Comment