The tense standoff between the United Steel Workers 4-200 union – representing more than 1,700 striking nurses – and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital management is now entering its second month, with no end in sight.

Under a blazing hot, post-Labor Day sun Sept. 5 the union held a press conference at the picket line — right outside of the New Brunswick hospital. There was a lot on the minds of those who are striking for safer staffing levels, as they criticized hospital leadership for discontinuing striking nurses’ health benefits as of Sept. 1, the use of replacement nurses, and more.

Adding in the passing cars that often honked in solidarity with the nurses – which led to cheers from the picket line – it made for a raucous Tuesday in the shadow of the hospital.

“As you can see, we have 1,700 nurses that are on the picket line since Aug. 4,” said Judy Danella, president of the union local and a hospital employee since 1995.

Danella spoke about her fellow striking nurses as feeling cast aside by hospital management.

“We are dismissed by management. We are not disposable,” said Danella. “We are the nurses – the Robert Wood nurses.”

RWJUH officials have pushed back against that sentiment, noting that the nurses are the highest paid in New Jersey.

However, striking workers have maintained that their main issue centers around nurse-to-patient ratios, calling for safe staffing legislation, such as Senate Bill 304, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-14th District, who spoke at the Tuesday event.

“If we had safe staffing legislation in New Jersey, we would not be standing out here,” said Danella as she introduced Greenstein. “We would be inside where we need to be.”

“I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas nurses in support of better, fairer working conditions,” said Greenstein. “Our health care workers are the backbone of medical care in our state. For three years now, nurses have worked tirelessly through one of the most prolific moments in our country’s history. Their dedication to service is invaluable.”

Greenstein stressed standards need to be established to improve working conditions at New Jersey hospitals, including through safe staffing.

“Making sure that our hospitals and health care facilities are adequately and properly staffed means the staff will be well-equipped to provide exceptional patient care and, ultimately, save lives,” said Greenstein. “I’m one of the sponsors of S304 – a bill mandating enforceable staffing levels in hospitals. Right now, more than ever, we need to take meaningful action to stop the exodus from our hospitals of dedicated, courageous nurses and other health care workers.”

‘We’re going to last one day longer’

New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech spoke after Greenstein and thanked the health care workers for the job they do, stressing his solidarity while being sharply critical of hospital management.

“Our day is coming. I’m going to tell you something right now. They may think they’re going to squeeze us because they cut our health care,” said Wowkanech. “They may think they’re going to squeeze us because they brought the scabs in for another 30 days. But they’re going to learn a lesson here in New Brunswick that they’ll never forget – that we’re going to beat them. We’re going to last one day longer.”

Several nurses shared their personal experiences and stories about the decision to strike as well as the potential impacts and costs associated with losing health benefits and instead having to pay for them through COBRA.

Danella stressed that the process needed to get back to the basics – and back to the negotiating table.

The last bargaining session took place in mid-August with no further dates scheduled.

Danella closed the press conference adding that it was going to be a tough fight, but emphasizing her side’s solidarity to reach its desired outcome.

“I just want to thank every single nurse out here – no matter where you work – on this sweltering day,” said Danella. “For coming out here and sharing your stories and just sharing solidarity – one day longer, one day stronger. We will get through this.”

‘No one benefits from a strike’

The RWJUH side continues to push back against many of the union’s assertions — especially that it blindsided nurses with the Sept. 1 discontinuation of health benefits.

“RWJUH notified USW 4-200 leadership in July that their member nurses who are enrolled in the RWJBarnabas health and wellness plans would be required to enroll in COBRA starting Sept. 1 if the strike was not averted and not settled by this time,” Wendy Gottsegen, RWJUH spokesperson, said in an Aug. 29 statement. “The hospital raised this issue in negotiation sessions and the union posted information regarding the transition to COBRA for its members on its website.”

Gottsegen added that RWJUH urged union leadership to consider these “potential hardships” as the strike continues.

“We have said all along that no one benefits from a strike – least of all our nurses,” said Gottsegen in an Aug. 28 statement about the health benefits. “This hardship, in addition to the loss of wages throughout the strike, is very unfortunate and has been openly communicated to the union and the striking nurses since prior to the walk-out on Aug. 4.”

RWJUH has also pushed back on the criticism of its staffing levels – noting that its staffing levels are already among the highest in the state and above those outlined in the proposed safe staffing legislation.

“We understand and recognize the toll the pandemic took on our nurses and have worked aggressively to address staffing,” said Gottsegen. “Despite a nationwide nursing shortage, in which New Jersey is facing 14,000 nurse vacancies, RWJUH has added 200 staff nurse positions since 2022 and has reduced its nurse vacancy rate to nearly half the national average. RWJUH nurses are already the highest paid in the state, and all offers by the hospital would have significantly elevated their status.”

The RWJBarnabas Health facility has stressed that it remains fully staffed and operational with replacement nurses – who the union members have derided as scabs.

The gulf in negotiations as well as the heated back-and-forth certainly reiterates one thing — there does not appear to be much immediate light at the end of the tunnel as both sides dig their heels in, prepared to fight further.