Local 5004 Merger Update, August 5, 2021

The New Jersey Supreme Court granted the Federal Trade Commission’s request to for a preliminary injunction of the merger between Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and Englewood Health. Read statement below:

Following the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction against Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Englewood Healthcare Foundation, FTC Office of Public Affairs Director Lindsay Kryzak made this statement:

“Too many hospital mergers lead to jacked up prices and diminished care for patients most in need. It remains a mystery why these two hospital systems decided to pursue a highly suspicious merger in the middle of a global pandemic. The Court has hit pause on this merger, which the FTC alleges is unlawful. Hospital executives hatching merger plans should take note.”

What is the impact of this decision on the membership? What is the impact of this decision for the community which EHMC serves? At this time, we don’t have the answers, but we will continue to monitor and report to you as more information is received.

What we do know is that one of the goals of the merger was to ‘harmonize’ all benefits and wages throughout HMH. We also know that those locals that merged with HMH negotiated a reduced benefit package. We made substantial improvements in staffing ratios for the night shift, preceptor pay, paid continuing education days, and wages among other improvements. We believe this would not have happened if there was a merger. We also know that without the members support we would not have achieved these improvements.

Now, we just have to stay on message – we serve ourselves best by being involved.

In solidarity,
Local 5004 Executive Board