the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, nurses at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center have taken a bold step toward ensuring safer working conditions and better patient care. Members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union have authorized a strike if a new contract isn’t reached before their current agreement expires on May 31.
Strike Authorization Over Safe Staffing Ratios
Although no strike is currently scheduled, union leaders have confirmed that they are prepared to issue a 10-day strike notice if necessary. At the heart of the contract dispute is the call for lower nurse-to-patient ratios, which the union argues is critical for ensuring patient safety and improving working conditions.
“There is no strike planned at this moment,” said Barbara Rosen, a nurse and HPAE’s first vice president. “There’s been no 10-day notice given for a strike, which is required.”
Staffing Crisis Worsened by COVID-19
The push for safer staffing ratios comes in the wake of a nationwide nurse shortage made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2022 study revealed a loss of over 100,000 nurses from 2020 to 2021—the largest decline in 40 years—with many young nurses leaving hospital settings.
“Nurse-to-patient ratios have been proven in study after study to improve patient outcomes, raise satisfaction scores, and boost nurse retention,” said Debbie White, HPAE president.
Ongoing Negotiations & Optimism for a Resolution
Negotiations resumed May 29, with both sides working to avoid a strike. Deborah Visconi, President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached.
“We are all vested in the same priorities,” Visconi said. “I am very hopeful we will come to a resolution that honors [nurses’] contributions while safeguarding the vital mission of our organization.”
A proposal was submitted to the union on May 28, and hospital leadership is awaiting a response.
Budget Pressures and Medicaid Funding Concerns
In the background of these negotiations is the potential for significant cuts in federal Medicaid funding. A bill passed by the U.S. House could result in New Jersey losing $3.6 billion annually, affecting over 360,000 residents.
Visconi emphasized the need to manage spending responsibly while maintaining critical services and employee support. She noted that hospitals often overspend on outside staffing agencies, and Rosen echoed that consistent in-house staffing would improve both cost and care.
Contingency Plans in Place
If a strike occurs, the hospital is prepared. “We have a full contingency plan of temporary employees that have worked in this hospital before, as well as other non-HPAE professionals,” said Visconi.
HPAE Pushes for Industry-Wide Staffing Reform
Bergen New Bridge is just one of several hospitals currently negotiating with HPAE, including Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital, and multiple Inspira Health facilities.
“Last year, four hospitals agreed to safe staffing ratios,” said White. “If Cooper, Englewood, Palisades, and University Hospital can do it—why not Bergen New Bridge?”
The union remains committed to reaching an agreement that safeguards both patient health and worker welfare.
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COVID-19 did not force younger nurses to leave the profession; obviously, that was finance ordering the nurses to get jabbed or get lost. A very strange move, reducing your care workforce when hospitals were allegedly overwhelmed by Biden’s pandemic of the unvaccinated. Except, the hospitals weren’t overrun and the nurses that stayed on had plenty of time to dance for TikTok. The nurses should have had their strike sooner.