Tell UMDNJ it’s time to negotiate – fairly, honestly and openly.

After all the scandals and abuses, the management at UMDNJ is turning their back on the very people who worked hard and got the job done – while those at the top abused the public trust.

For seven months the administration at UMDNJ hasn’t seriously negotiated with the 3,600 health professionals and Registered Nurses represented by HPAE. Since September they haven’t negotiated at all.

After promising to re-open wage negotiations – UMDNJ management instead demanded a wage freeze and a mid-contract imposition of a 1.5% payment for health insurance. Layoffs are taking place… and more are a constant threat.

Instead of fair pay for front line health professionals and nurses, UMDNJ is top heavy with administrators – often hired with the promise of bonus programs.

Failing to offer competitive wages is a false economy. It only makes it harder to attract and retain the best staff – the very professionals who can help UMDNJ regain its reputation.

Losing these health professionals and nurses will mean that research, mental health and community services and patient care will suffer.

We can't let that happen. We have planned a Day of Protest and work stoppage for December 3 to get UMDNJ back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair settlement.

From Washington to Wall Street change is coming. It’s time to end the old ways at UMDNJ too.

Update: HPAE withdraws job action, court orders expedited mediation (Posted December 2, 2008)

Thanks to all of our labor and community supporters in urging UMDNJ back to the bargaining table.

On December 2nd, a Superior Court Judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order to block our planned job action – but also ordered both parties to apply for expedited mediation.

Our orginial goal has been to get back to the bargaining table.  In response to the Judge’s order, we agreed to withdraw our notice to UMDNJ and provide notice to our members that they are to report to work as scheduled and not participate in the job action.

Additionally, both parties have agreed to apply jointly for mediation on an expedited basis before the NJ Public Employment Relations Commission.

Over the next few weeks, we will be consulting with our members about the status of negotiations and our next steps. Membership meetings will be scheduled.

We ask all of our supporters to continue urging UMDNJ President Owen to get back to the bargaining in good faith with 3600 health professionals and nurses.