NJ Nurses Delay Strike Amidst Ongoing Negotiations With Health System

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — Hundreds of nurses hit a pause on a potential strike at Virtua Mount Holly Hospital after encouraging progress at the negotiating table.

Members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union were set to begin their "Unfair Labor Practice" demonstration on Tuesday in response to issues of staffing, wages, and shifts that have been canceled.

According to the Local 5105 chapter, nurses will now strike on June 23 "if progress is not sustained."

Chrisie Scott, Virtua Health's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, told Patch they are feeling optimistic about the ability to come to terms.

"Given the parties' meaningful progress, and Virtua's demonstrated willingness to work to address the issues most important to our nurses, the hospital, and our patients, we remain hopeful an agreement can be reached," said Scott.

Nearly 850 nurses handed in a strike notice on June 4 to Virtua Health after they were unable to agree on a new contract after two months of negotiations, the nurses' union said.

Nearly 100 percent of the local chapter of the HPAE, the state's largest healthcare union, had voted to approve the strike if they were unable to agree on new terms.

Virtua has also developed a strike contingency plan, Virtua spokesperson Daniel Moise said, involving a multidisciplinary team.

Along with better pay, a major issue that was left on the bargaining table was the inclusion of "Enforceable Safe Staffing" ratios.

Virtua has resisted the mandates under an environment of nationwide staffing shortages, the need for greater operational flexibility, and financial challenges associated with meeting these system-wide requirements.

Healthcare systems, like Virtua, also like to allocate staff dynamically based on patient needs rather than being held to legal ratios.

The HPAE said staff are "burned out and stressed" with conditions that are "simply unacceptable" in the hospital.

Virtua Health is based in Marlton and operates five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, 42 ambulatory surgery centers, and more than 400 other sites.

The HPAE and its bargaining team represent more than 15,000 nurses and other healthcare professionals in the state of New Jersey.

Both sides will return to the table on Friday as they work toward a new contract.

MORE FROM PATCH: $300K In Upgrades Coming To South Jersey Library

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.