the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New Brunswick NJ, Wendy Gottsegen, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital spokesperson:
“We are deeply disappointed that the Union has decided to take this extreme action. It did not and should not have come to this. This is not a strike of necessity and could have been avoided had the Union not been so intent on this outcome. No one benefits from a strike, least of all, our nurses.
“Throughout this process, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has continued to negotiate in good faith with United Steel Workers 4-200, the union representing our nurses. We have remained open to talking with the goal of averting a strike and reaching a fair and equitable resolution.
“RWJUH has done everything it could to avert a strike. We twice accepted the Union’s demands. We offered to go to arbitration or submit to a board of inquiry, and the Union rejected both. Even after we extended a new offer on Wednesday that would have further addressed their staffing concerns, it was met with silence. We are awaiting a response from the Union and are questioning why we are in this position instead of at the table, negotiating.
“RWJUH is already among the highest staffed hospitals in the state and our nurses are currently the highest paid in New Jersey, based on available public data. Our offers would have increased both.
“Our top priority is to our patients. We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the highest-quality care in the safest environment. We want to reassure our patients, their families, and our community that we continue to care for our patients without interruption. We remain fully open and continue to deliver the high-quality care they deserve.
“We urge the Union to respond to our latest offer and continue good faith negotiations so we can end this strike.”
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