HPAE applauds Jersey City’s Council resolution supporting the union’s demand that Hudson Regional Hospital honor union contracts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Emerson, NJ—The City Council in Jersey City has passed a resolution demanding that Hudson Regional Hospital—if it successfully acquires Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and Hoboken University Medical Center—recognize HPAE, AFSCME 1199J, JNESO, CIR, and agree to be bound by their respective collective bargaining agreements.

“Healthcare workers are the backbone of our community. They provide essential care and support to our most vulnerable residents,” Councilmember James Solomon said. “This resolution is a critical step to ensure Hudson Regional Hospital recognizes the unions representing these dedicated professionals and honors the existing contracts. These members include the incredible nurses and members of HPAE. Fair treatment and respect for healthcare workers are non-negotiable—our community depends on them.”

And, Council President Joyce E. Watterman added: “As Council President, I stand firm in supporting the collective bargaining rights of our healthcare workers in Jersey City and across Hudson County. The unions represent the backbone of our working-class communities, and their voices must be heard when it comes to the future of our hospitals. We call on HRH and all healthcare employers to honor existing contracts, respect workers’ rights, and ensure that any changes prioritize both the safety of our healthcare workers and the patients they serve.”

“We are grateful to Councilmember James Solomon, Council President Joyce E. Watterman and all the other members of the City Council for approving this resolution,” HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said. “Now more than ever, we need to support these vital Hudson County hospitals and a resolution like this goes a long way to signaling that our elected officials support the union members who provide the care.”

HRH announced last month a takeover of Bayonne Medical Center from CarePoint Health, which is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors. HRH is going through the process of acquiring a certificate of need from the New Jersey Department of Health to allow it to run the hospital.

DOH’s State Health Planning Board is holding a hearing tomorrow in Trenton on the certificate of need application. HPAE is not opposing the merger, but the union has asked the DOH to impose conditions and commitments from HRH to make sure the mismanagement that has taken place under CarePoint at Bayonne Medical Center, does not continue under Hudson Regional Hospital.

HRH plans to combine its own hospital with BMC and CarePoint Health’s other two struggling Hudson County hospitals, Christ Hospital in Jersey City and the Hoboken University Medical Center, to operate them as a four-hospital Hudson Health System. HRH will also need to obtain certificates of need for Christ Hospital and HUMC to create the system.

White said HPAE represents 400 healthcare workers at Hudson Regional Hospital and has sent  HRH administrators  a recognition agreement that would guarantee they honor the HPAE union at Bayonne and their contract.  Thus far, Hudson regional executives have refused to sign or even address the agreement.

“Instead, Bayonne members reported that people showed up at the hospital, claiming to be HRH administrators and telling our members that everyone will have to reapply for their jobs when the Bayonne takeover is complete, and that Hudson Regional does not have to recognize the contract,” White said. “What kind of a savior is that?”

In fact, Hudson Regional administrators have disrupted the lives of their current employees at Hudson Regional Hospital, Local 5147, by refusing to abide by the contract they’ve already bargained with these healthcare workers.

Last week, HPAE filed a complaint against HRH with the National Labor Relations Board for contract violations after hospital human resources officials informed workers that they will be paying double their insurance premiums in an effort to save the hospital money.

The Council resolution states:

• As part of any bankruptcy filing, HRH agrees to assume and take assignment of each union collective bargaining agreement.
• HRH shall assume and be liable for any and all accrued benefits and liabilities of the members of the Unions at Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center.
• HRH shall offer employment to all unionized bargaining unit employees at Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center. Further, employees shall continue in employment with HRH as if they had no separation in employment from Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital and/or Hoboken University Medical Center and shall suffer no loss of seniority or years of service as a result of the change in ownership.
• No new probationary period shall be served.

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HPAE is the largest union of registered nurses and healthcare professionals in New Jersey representing 14,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities.  HPAE is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.