Returning to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Judy Danella, President of USW Local 4-200, discussed the new contract earned by nurses at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after a four-month strike. Danella discussed the difficulties striking nurses faced and what the safe staffing win means for nursing in New Jersey.
When Danella last appeared on the show, Local 4-200 was on strike with the RWJ University Hospital. After four months, 88 percent of the nearly 1,700 striking nurses voted to approve a new agreement with the hospital. Danella talked about the requests by the nurses in the new contract.
During the strike, the nurses faced several challenges from their employers. The employer chose to eliminate health insurance for the striking workers, but Danella spoke about how the USW could provide replacement coverage. She also spoke about the delay tactics used by the employer. After each negotiation and proposal from the union, the employer would take several weeks to respond to the offer, leaving uncertainty around the proceedings.
One of the major wins in the new contract is the implementation of safe staffing ratios and the ability to enforce them. By creating a safe staffing ratio, care coverage for patients will improve, and create a safer working environment for the nurses. Previously, the lack of safe staffing ratios created patient care coverage gaps. The contract has set the standard for potential legislation to be created for the state of New Jersey after local politicians try to prevent any more strikes in the nursing industry and grow the profession.
Hear more from Danella on the strike by listening to the show above.