Nurses at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin say they are ready to go on strike in 10 days if they can’t reach an agreement over staffing levels in a new contract with Hackensack Meridian Health.
Today at negotiations, HMH AGAIN REFUSED to give us the safe staffing ratios our patients need, and made NO MOVEMENT on wages!
On May 29, 2025, HMH and HPAE will return to the bargaining table —and we are ready, united, and determined to keep fighting for our demands: safe staffing ratios, fair wages, and the respect we deserve.
After three months of negotiations, HMH has refused to address our demand for enforceable staffing ratios, even though Palisades Medical Center (HPAE Local 5030) won a union contract with ratios last year. Why does HMH think our patients deserve less?
Thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s membership meetings. We had an incredible turnout, and the energy and engagement from all of you were inspiring.
Contract for Nurses saving lives at Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospital expired April 30
Today was another unproductive day at the bargaining table with HMH. Our team presented a comprehensive package of proposals, including an across-the-board wage increase, merit increases as a bonus, and enforceable staffing ratios for each unit.
Nurses saving lives at the Hackensack Meridian Health hospital are renegotiating a collective bargaining agreement that expires next week
We want to take a moment to thank and congratulate each and every one of you who participated in the strike authorization vote. Your voices were heard — and they were powerful.
Today, April 15th, marked our 12th bargaining session with Hackensack Meridian, and our team has remained focused on staffing ratios and better wages.
We have been in negotiations with HMH for 10 sessions. The only wage proposal we have received to date from HMH is an up to 1% merit increase on the performance eval scale, (1%!!) which is completely unacceptable.
On March 27, 2025, we had another day of negotiations with HMH (with seven additional planned days to meet at the table).