Striking RWJ nurses' union and hospital system reach tentative contract accord

The 1,700 nurses on strike since early August at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, have reached a tentative agreement with the RWJBarnabas Health system, the two sides announced Friday.

“After more than 120 days on the picket lines, we are pleased to announce that USW (United Steelworkers Local 4-200) nurses have reached a historic agreement with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital that includes enforceable safe staffing standards in our collective bargaining agreement for the first time,” said Judy Danella, president of the local.

The nurses union has pressed for higher staffing ratios, which it contends would provide better care for patients. The tentative agreement will now go before the full membership for a ratification vote.

The hospital system had argued that it was promising fewer patients per nurse, but the union insisted it be written into the contract. During the strike, the hospital has relied on visiting nurses. By mid-October, that cost has totaled $87 million, according to NJ Monitor.

“The resolution reflects our shared goals of providing the highest-quality patient care and creating a safe and supportive working environment for our nurses,” Wendy Gottsegen, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital spokesperson, said. “RWJUH has the utmost respect and appreciation for our nurse colleagues and all they do for our patients, the community and this hospital. We look forward to the outcome of the ratification vote.”

In late October, the nurses’ union got a boost from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Democrat, who held a field hearing for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in New Brunswick to call attention to the strike.

“I know going out on strike is not something that you do every day. You've never done it in your lives,” Sanders told the nurses who packed the hearing room at Rutgers University. “And the idea that you're willing to go without paychecks, to walk on picket lines, to deal with all of the stuff out there in order to protect your patients is rather extraordinary. So, on behalf of the American people, thank you.”

Nurses complaining of long hours in understaffed facilities have been leaving the profession in high numbers, causing staffing shortages across the country.