RWJUH stalemate persists, sides set to meet again this week

Matthew Fazelpoor//October 9, 2023//

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) nurses – who are members of United Steelworkers Local 4-200 – hold a press conference and rally outside RWJUH in New Brunswick on Sept. 5, 2023. More than 1,700 nurses remain on the picket line as the situation remains unresolved and tense. - MATTHEW FAZELPOOR

Matthew Fazelpoor//October 9, 2023//

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Friday’s talks between Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) management and United Steelworkers Local 4-200, the union representing 1,700 striking nurses, came and went without a deal – but more meetings are on tap.

As NJBIZ reported, the talks were the first in several weeks between the two sides to try to end the strike, which began Aug. 4 and is now in its third month.

The two sides will again return to the negotiating table this week.

“RWJUH and United Steel Workers 4-200, the union representing our nurses, met today with a federal mediator for six hours,” RWJUH spokesperson Wendy Gottsegen said in an Oct. 6 statement. “The hospital has continued to offer language in support of top-of-market wages, as well as safe-staffing standards that meet or exceed levels set forth by legislation in states like California and in a number of hospital labor settlements across the country. While we remain disappointed by the union’s continued advancement of untenable outlier positions, we look forward to returning to the negotiating table Tuesday, when the mediator has scheduled the next session.”

“We did not make progress toward a settlement today, but we gave management a proposal that we believe addresses any reasonable concerns they have raised,” said Judy Danella, president of USW Local 4-200 and a hospital employee since 1995, in an Oct. 6 statement following the latest set of talks. “The ball is now in their court. We remain fully committed to reaching an agreement with enforceable staffing standards. Further negotiations are set for Tuesday.”

Stay with NJBIZ for any breaking news in this still-very-much developing story.