NJ Bill Would Protect Pay, Benefits During Health Care Mergers

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey’s front-line health care workers put their lives on the line to help sick and dying patients during the coronavirus crisis. And according to a pair of state lawmakers, they deserve to have their wages and benefits protected when ownership of their workplace changes hands.

Last week, Sen. Richard Codey (District 27) and Sen. Joe Vitale (District 19) announced that S-315 has cleared a Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Read the full bill here.

Here’s what it will do if it becomes law, the senators said:

“The bill, S-315, would require any agreement for the change in control of a health care entity to provide that all non-managerial employees be offered employment during a six-month transitional period from the time of the change in control and that none of them be discharged for that period except in a reduction of the workforce. Further, the bill would prohibit the wages and benefits of non-managerial employees from being reduced or diminished during the period ending six months after the change in control.”

The senators added:

“The bill would apply to licensed health facilities, staffing registries and home care services agencies. No action taken pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement entered into by an exclusive representative of employees of a health care entity subject to a change of control would be a violation of the bill. Further, the bill would not limit, delay, or prevent, including during the transitional period, the recognition of an employee collective bargaining representative, or collective bargaining between the successor health care entity employer and the representative.”

“Our front-line workers in the health care industry risked their lives to provide care to sick – and in some cases, dying patients – during the height of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Codey, a former governor who now represents several towns in Essex and Morris counties.

“Those same workers have a right to expect their wages and benefits are going to be protected, and be insulated from any structural change that might come from the consolidation of health care entities,” Codey urged.

Vitale agreed with his peer in the Senate.

“As the coronavirus pandemic has shown, our health care workers are among our most resilient and valued employees,” Vitale said. “During the spread of a highly contagious, deadly disease, they showed remarkable courage, stamina and commitment to their work.”

“This bill will ensure those workers are treated fairly, and that their wages and benefits are protected, regardless of the volatility in and around the health care industry,” Vitale added.

• See related article: NJ Nurses Push For Hazard Pay, 'Safe Staffing' Amid Pandemic
• See related article: NJ Gov. Signs Horizon Bill After Speedy Trip Through Legislature
• See related article: East Orange General Hospital Bought By For-Profit Company

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