About two hundred workers at a pair of South Jersey health care firms voted to unionize in separate elections last week, New Jersey’s largest healthcare union announced.
Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the state’s top healthcare labor union, said about 160 workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice will unionize after a 95-27 vote. The group — which includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and others — said they sought unionization due to unrealistic workloads.
In a separate election, registered nurse case managers at Inspira Health voted 22-2 to unionize. The RN case managers, who help set up post-hospital care for patients, are based in Inspira’s medical centers in Vineland, Elmer, and Bridgeton.
“These elections show tremendous solidarity and commitment,” HPAE President Debbie White said in a release. “We congratulate them on the wins! Unions give workers a voice and when healthcare workers have a greater voice in their workplace, patients always benefit.”
Both new unions must now negotiate a contract with their respective employers.
“The workers need a seat at the table to fight for a contract that will refocus on quality care, emphasize the importance of safety, and improve the quality of life for staff,” Bradley Nussbaum, a social worker at Samaritan, said.
HPAE represents more than 14,000 nurses and healthcare officials in New Jersey.