Statement in Response to UMDNJ Contract with Barnabas Health System for Management Services
Health Professionals and Allied Employees/AFT/AFL-CIO
110 Kinderkamack Road
Emerson,NJ 07630
201-262-5005
Contact: Jeanne Otersen 201-280-9279
Ann Twomey, President, Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE/AFT/AFL-CIO)
June 6, 2013
“The announcement by UMDNJ that they intend to award a contract to Barnabas Health Services for management of University Hospital is the beginning of a new phase for our hospital – but it must also represent continuity for our hospital’s mission and services to this community and the residents of New Jersey, as well as a plan for a strong future for a hospital that is critical to our community and state’s health needs.
The law authorizing the Restructuring of Rutgers and UMDNJ, passed in 2012 by the NJ Legislature, included a comprehensive commitment that any management agreement would protect and preserve the hospitals’ mission and public,non-profit status, as well as the health care services, charity care obligations and workplace protections for staff .
A Community Oversight Board (COB), which includes a representative of HPAE, was also established to make sure that these protections are adhered to; and we call on the Governor and UMDNJ to initiate a meeting of this Oversight Board to review the proposed contract during this 60-day period. In addition to the review by the COB, the NJ Department of Health must undertake a review to assure that the management agreement contains all of the protections and standards encompassed in the Reorganization Law.”
HPAE, NJ’s largest health care union represents 12,000 nurses and healthcare workers, including 4000 UMDNJ employees, and has a representative on the COB.
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