Safe Staffing Secured: NJ Nurses Ratify New Contract With South Jersey Health System

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — Hundreds of nurses ratified a new three-year contract after months-long negotiations with Virtua Health.

The terms, which include enforceable safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, improved pay, and upgraded workplace violence prevention tactics, were voted on by nearly 85 percent of the members of the union that represents the group.

Of those who voted, 89 percent (578) voted in favor of the new contract.

"Nurses have been choosing to leave hospitals due to stressful and unsafe working conditions, including poor staffing," Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union President Debbie White, RN, said. "This contract gives Virtua a platform to recruit new nurses and retain the nurses they have."

On Jan. 3, 2027, the following enforceable staffing ratios will take effect:

• Medical/Surgery, 1:5
• Critical care, 1:2
• Progressive Care Unit (Step Down), 1:4
• Behavioral Health, 1:6

In addition, the HPAE Local 5105 secured faster arbitration processes for disputes, more staff and resources in the Emergency Department and Maternal Child Health units, and the inclusion of a Clinical Support Nurse in both departments.

Nurse wages will also rise by an average of around 16.5 percent between now and June 2028.

"HPAE nurses are not willing to tolerate the status quo anymore, so we are proud that we have won strong language to ensure nurses can care for their patients the way they were trained," White added.

HPAE reached a labor agreement with Virtua Health on June 12 after postponing their scheduled strike at Virtua Mount Holly Hospital.

Virtua had 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.

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.

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