Contract Talks At Newark Hospital Stall Over Nurse-To-Patient Ratios

NEWARK, NJ — Contract negotiations between University Hospital in Newark and its unionized nurses continue, but the possibility of a strike is still looming at one of the busiest medical centers in North Jersey.

The contract between the hospital and its nurses expired on Monday, with negotiations dragging out during the past few weeks. The main sticking point now involves nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, with the union calling for a 5-to-1 ratio.

According to the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), which represents more than 1,400 nurses at University Hospital, other demands have included “fair wages and benefits.”

“No member ever wants to go on strike, but we will do whatever it takes to bargain a contract that provides the best language to recruit and retain staff,” HPAE president Debbie White recently said.

“Our patients and the workers at this premier teaching institution and Level 1 Trauma Center deserve the best care and working conditions,” White added.

Hospital administrators have maintained that the medical center “remains not only in compliance with all state regulations regarding nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, but consistently exceeds those requirements.” University Hospital has also made “tremendous strides” in reducing its nurse vacancy rate, hiring more than 170 staff nurses over the past year and reducing its vacancy rate to “single digits,” administrators said.

The fight over nurse-to-patient ratios has also been taking place at other New Jersey hospitals, where the issue has become a major bargaining point during contract talks.

• See Related: Nurses Reach Tentative Deal With Cooper Hospital, But Strike Still Possible
• See Related: Nurses' Union Gives Update On Negotiations At 2 NJ Hospitals
• See Related: Tentative Deal Reached In Nurses' Strike At RWJ University Hospital

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