Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-212-8173
(Pittsburgh) -- United Steelworkers Local 4-200 announced today that 1,700 members who work as nurses at Robert Woods Johnson New Brunswick have voted to grant the union the authority to call a strike.
The local’s original contract expired on June 30 after several months of bargaining. They have signed a 14-day extension, with their new expiration date approaching on July 21.
“Health care workers are experiencing record levels of burnout, and we urge our employer to come to the table with an offer that acknowledges the hard work we put in every day for our patients,” said Local 4-200 President Judy Danella.
Hospital management has not moved on the issues most pressing for the workers, including staffing ratios and benefits for nurses who work at least 36 hours per week.
“Nurses don’t take this decision lightly, but they feel it’s an essential step toward bargaining a contract that will benefit workers and their patients alike,” said District 4 Director Dave Wasiura.
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.