Nurses and Health Professionals at Palisades Medical Center Reach Tentative Agreement with Hackensack Meridian

October 25, 2018

Unionized workers advance patient safety, preserve workplace protections

North Bergen – After six months of negotiations a tentative agreement has been reached between HPAE Local 5030 at Palisades Medical Center with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH).

“Despite an aggressive anti-union campaign, as health professionals we could not allow the corporate owners of our hospital to take away our protections that allow us to be a voice for our patients and to stand together as health professionals to protect our rights,” said Mickie Miquiabas, President of HPAE Local 5030. “This agreement provides economic incentives to retain and recruit experienced staff while taking steps toward developing patient safety standards.”

Over the last several months 2,500 nurses and health professionals across the state have been in bargaining with HMH. This tentative agreement is the second settlement reached for HPAE locals, while HPAE Local 5058 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and HPAE Local 5138 at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin resume bargaining on October 29.

“We are proud of our nurses and healthcare professionals who have not allowed the intimidation tactics of their corporate owners to stop them from fighting to improve working conditions and patient safety,” said Debbie White, RN and President of HPAE.

HPAE Local 5030 members will attend membership meetings throughout the day on November 2, 2018, at which voting will take place on whether to ratify the agreement. Details of the agreement will not be released before that time.