NEWARK, NJ — A labor union that represents nurses in New Jersey is pushing Newark city administrators to finalize a new contract for several workers at a local health care center and a lead poisoning prevention program.
According to JNESO District Council 1, IUOE-AFL-CIO, a group of 10 nurses that it represents have been working without a contract since their last agreement expired in December 2022.
Some of the nurses work at the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Newark that provides comprehensive primary care to local residents, regardless of their ability to pay.
Other nurses work under the city's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, which provides medical and environmental management for lead-burdened children and conducts screenings for local residents.
The union reported that a draft memorandum of agreement has been put forth, but it is still a work in progress.
The proposed MOA calls for a five-year agreement that would be retroactive and cover Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2027. This additional year would prevent the lapse again in December of 2026 when the contract that should have been in place already would have expired, giving the city another year before starting the process again, spokespeople said.
According to the union, the proposal includes 2 percent base salary increases for 2023 and 2024, and 2.5 percent increase for 2025, 2026 and 2027. These would be paid retroactively for past years by the end of 2026.An increase in uniform allowance, providing additional education and required medical certifications for Basic Life Support and PALS training, increased stipends, and stronger work schedule protections for full and part-time nurses are also included.
"Every day, these health care professionals work tirelessly to keep our families, neighbors, and communities safe and healthy," JNESO executive director Douglas Placa said.
"This is not simply a labor issue; it is a community issue," Placa said.
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