HPAE Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement with Coooper University Health Care

Just hours before the contract expiration, HPAE Local 5118 has reached a tentative agreement with Cooper University Health Care. Two other HPAE Locals remain at the negotiations table continuing to bargain; HPAE Local 5030 with Hackensack Meridian Health and HPAE Local 5004 with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

“Nurses and healthcare workers have clear priorities in these negotiations. The tentative agreement reached between HPAE Local 5118 and Cooper has significant improvements in enforceable staffing ratios,” said Debbie White, RN, HPAE President.

The nearly 1,500 HPAE nurses at Cooper University Health Care are scheduled to vote on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

“Throughout these negotiations HPAE Local 5118 nurses have demanded safe staffing ratios in their contracts because they know it benefits patients. Additionally, we know having a union contract with enforceable staffing ratios will help to retain our nurses at the bedside,” White added.

Details on all of the agreements reached between HPAE Local 5118 and Cooper University Health Care will not be released before the members vote to ratify.

For more information: Bridget Devane, (732) 996-5493, bdevane@HPAE.org