Nearly 200 N.J. health care workers vote to unionize, citing unrealistic workloads

Taken from NJ.com

By Jackie Roman | NJ.com | Mar. 24, 2026

Nearly 200 employees who work at Inspira Health and Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice voted to unionize earlier this month, according to labor officials.
The workers cited increasing workloads and critically low staffing among their reasons for choosing to organize and join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, New Jersey’s largest health care union.
Samaritan employees voted 95-27 for unionization, according to a press release.
About 78% of Samaritan’s 155 eligible employees participated in the vote. The group includes registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, lead advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, field nurses, clinical educators, social workers, bereavement counselors, spiritual support counselors and music therapists.
“The workers need a seat at the table to fight for a contract that will refocus on quality care, emphasize the importance of safety, and improve the quality of life for staff,” said Social Worker Bradley Nussbaum in a press release.
The results were certified Monday by the National Labor Relations Board, meaning the agency formally recognizes the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union as the employees’ collective-bargaining representative.
Samaritan was previously accused by labor leaders of waging a war against organizing efforts, but in a statement sent to NJ.com, the company appeared to relent.
“We respect our employees’ decision, and we look forward to working on their behalf with HPAE on an agreement that supports our commitment to provide the highest quality care for our patients and the best possible experience for our Samaritan Team,” the statement concludes.
Read more here.