Local 5138 Negotiation Update, March 27, 2025
NEGOTIATION UPDATE:
On March 27, 2025, we had another day of negotiations with HMH (with seven additional planned days to meet at the table). Our team continues to present the remaining proposals, focusing on our two most important issues: safe staffing and fair wages. HMH has committed to responding to all open union proposals during our next bargaining session on April 7th.
Today, union members from both inpatient and outpatient departments shared their staffing stories, outlined issues, and offered solid suggestions to HMH. Additionally, several studies were presented to emphasize that safe staffing saves lives.
STICKERS AND BUTTONS:
Today (3/27) and tomorrow (3/28) are our sticker days at the hospital! Everyone needs to wear a Safe Staffing sticker to show HMH how united we are around this issue. Contact William at (973) 618-6649 or [email protected] if you need stickers or to send pictures of you and your coworkers wearing them!
UNION MEMBER ACTIONS:
Please mark these important dates and we highly encourage you to attend the following:
- Thursday, April 3rd: CAT (Contract Action Team) Meeting at the Stafford Library, Manahawkin @ 430 PM and 8 PM (open to everyone). Zoom will be available as well. Please contact William at [email protected].
- Tuesday, April 8th: Legislative Breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn, Lakewood @ 8 AM-930 AM where healthcare workers will discuss their unsafe staffing experiences with our elected officials. RSVP no later than Friday, April 4th, 2025 at https://actionnetwork.org/events/code-red-briefing
- Tuesday, April 15th: Membership Meetings at The Mainland Holiday Inn, Manahawkin @ 8 AM-9 AM & 8 PM-9 PM. If HMH hasn’t made significant progress on staffing and wages at the negotiations table by Tuesday, April 15, we will be holding a strike vote to show how serious and united we are in our demand for a better Southern Ocean Medical Center. In order to make sure that everyone is informed before they cast their ballot, we will be holding two membership meetings on Tuesday, April 15 at the Holiday Inn (151 NJ-72, Manahawkin) at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM to update our members on negotiations and answer any questions. After these meetings, a virtual strike vote will be conducted using a link that will be provided later. Voting will continue through April 17. Can you RSVP here?https://forms.gle/Zp8HBVgdUrcuRXhD6
Look out for additional information sent via email and texts. For more information, contact [email protected] or Sherill at [email protected].
In solidarity,
Your local 5138 Executive Board
Anna Pona, President
Colleen Pignatelli, Vice President
Sybil Schriever, Grievance Chair