University Hospital nurses, professional staff reach tentative agreements

Ratification votes on 3-year contracts set March 15 and March 22 for HPAE Locals 5089, 5094

HPAE Locals 5089 and 5094—representing nurses and professional staff at University Hospital—have reached tentative agreements that will help recruit and retain staff. Details on the contract will be provided after members vote on the agreement.

University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey’s only public hospital, has been ground zero in combatting coronavirus for the past two years.

Local 5089 President Banita Herndon said she is hopeful the new contracts will help UH address staffing shortages that have reached crisis levels.

“Our members will continue caring for patients with compassion, professionalism and dedication in these challenging times,” Herndon said.

HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said, “We are proud to represent workers who provided care during this difficult moment in history. They are committed to ensuring this hospital thrives and continues to be a leader in providing premier services to the greater Newark community.”

“Our members have been through a lot in the past two years,” Local 5094 co-President Ryan Novosielski said, “caring for the community while putting their own lives in danger, and under incredible workloads because of the current staffing crisis in healthcare. This agreement is a great first step as we build towards a UH that can both recruit and retain staff, through across the board increases and market analysis of departments that are woefully undercompensated. We also call on our legislators to fund UH at a level where we can make truly fair and competitive compensation at UH a reality.”

Fore more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556.