Newark Union Members: Save Saint Michael's Medical Center

Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark can count hundreds of local union members among its supporters.

The 357-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching, and research center declared bankruptcy in August, filing a WARN notice for its 1,445 employees.

However, President David Ricci and hospital administrators have stated that Prime Healthcare – which owns 38 acute care hospitals across the nation – has expressed interest in purchasing the fiscally ailing facility, a move that would have to be approved by the state.

The sale has been soundly supported by several local labor unions, who claim that the state has been dragging its feet in approving the potential sale to Prime Healthcare.

• See related article: Union Members Rally in Support of St. Michael’s Medical Center

On Tuesday, almost 100 protestors took to the streets of Newark to demand that Saint Michael’s Medical Center remain open.

Chanting “Save Saint Michael’s” and waving flags, members of 1199J, JNESO and Local 68 Operating Engineers marched from the hospital to City Hall.

“The state has an obligation to the people of Newark,” said Councilwoman Chaneyfield Jenkins, addressing the assembled crowd of workers and supporters. “The state has been dragging its feet and threatening the livelihood of 1,400 workers at Saint Michael’s. It isn’t right. It isn’t fair.”

According to the grassroots group Coalition to Save Saint Michael’s Medical Center, closing the hospital will “create a monopoly in in-patient health care services that will drive up costs while forcing patients to seek medical care outside of Newark for certain procedures.”

The coalition is planning a prayer rally on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place. For more information, click here.

Editor’s Note: The Nov. 2 rally has been postponed.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Walden

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