Nurses represented by Health Professionals and Allied Employees ratified a one-year contract agreement with Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health, according to a union announcement.
The 1,500 nurses, from Neptune, N.J.-based Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Manahawkin, N.J.-based Southern Ocean Medical Center, voted to approve the agreement Wednesday after more than a month of negotiations. This marks the nurses' first labor deal since Hackensack (N.J.) University Health Network and Neptune-based Meridian Health merged in 2016.
"These negotiations were difficult and challenging for nursing staff. Our employer initially proposed to undo parts of our contract that have been long established and have protected nurses' rights in our hospitals," Sally Fessler, RN and president of HPAE Local 5138 at SOMC, said. "As nurses we could not walk away from these negotiations without maintaining our rights and our benefits, so we can continue to be advocates for our patients and our profession."
Hackensack Meridian Health said the contract agreement includes a merit-based pay increase for nurses of up to 2.5 percent. According to the union, the labor deal also maintains health insurance coverage without a premium cost increase and includes "gained protections for new nurses in the float pool" as well as "enhanced orientation programs" for nurses.
Overall, Hackensack Meridian Health was pleased nurses ratified the contract agreement.
"The hospitals' and union's bargaining committee worked hard through nearly 20 sessions since June 21 to reach agreements that will enable the hospitals to continue to deliver safe, high-quality care for patients and provide fair, competitive wages and benefits, safe staffing and a positive work environment for team members," hospital officials said in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.
More articles on human capital and risk:
Nurses pursue unionization vote at CHI hospital in North Dakota
Walz: Mayo Clinic did not 'fully and proactively engage the Albert Lea community' in consolidation decision
Union supporters protest in California over treatment of contracted valet employees