HMH Healthcare Workers question why Ocean County patients can’t have the same safe care as Hudson County
Contract for Nurses saving lives at Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospital expired April 30
In 2024 HPAE healthcare workers achieved safe staffing ratios in their contracts after two decades of advocating for patient safety. Now in 2025 there are eight HPAE locals continuing this fight.
“Remember, before 1980 most people did not wear seatbelts. Once the data showed seatbelts will save lives, it became mandatory,” said Anna Pona, RN, HPAE Local 5138 President. “The data has shown that safe staffing ratios do save lives. Why is the data not enough for hospital administrators to do what is best for their patients?”
Hackensack Meridian is the corporate owner of Palisades Medical Center (PMC) as well as Southern Ocean Medical Center (SOMC). The company agreed to safe staffing standards at PMC, but so far has stonewalled the same safety measures at SOMC- creating a situation where some hospitals, in the same system, are safer than others.
HPAE Local 5138 represents 350 Registered Nurses at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ. Within the Hackensack Meridian Health system HPAE represents 900 nurses and healthcare workers of Local 5030 at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen in Hudson County; and 1500 Registered Nurses at of Local 5058 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ.
Nearly a year into their new contract Tara Rojo, RN, HPAE Local 5030 President at PMC in Hudson County, said, “For the safety of our patients, we had to have safe staffing ratios in our contract. Last year we pointed out, if California patients have safe staffing, then our patients in New Jersey deserve the same. This year, Ocean County patients deserve to have safe care just like our patients in Hudson County.”
The contract for Southern Ocean Medical Center nurses expired on April 30, the last day of negotiations, which ended without agreement. No new bargaining date is scheduled. HPAE Local 5138 is working to inform and mobilize its members. HPAE Locals 5030 and 5058 have quickly reached out to offer their support and solidarity.
Dan Hayes, RN, HPAE Local 5058 President urged Local 5138 nurses to stand strong and said, “Two decades of research shows understaffing in hospitals leads to increases in negative patient outcomes such as readmissions, hospital acquired infections, and death. Unionized healthcare workers have to do what is best for their patients. We know we must stand in solidarity to advocate for safe staffing in our union contracts. It is working in Hudson County and other New Jersey hospitals to improve patient care and to stop the exodus of hospital workers.”
HPAE Local 5058 in Monmouth County will begin bargaining with Hackensack Meridian this summer. The contract expires on September 8, 2025.
Southern Ocean Medical Center nurses, members of HPAE Local 5138, voted almost unanimously last month to authorize a strike if they’re unable to agree with management on a new contract with strict safe staffing standards, among other demands.
HPAE Local 5138 President Anna Pona said, “We proposed safe staffing language at the bargaining table on February 10 because we know it is best for nurses and for patients. Unfortunately, Hackensack Meridian will not respond to our proposal.”
“Patients understand safe staffing ratios help them. The question remains why the hospital administration would refuse safe staffing language? The current staffing levels are unsustainable, placing our nursing licenses at risk. Our hardworking nurses want better staffing and a fair contract so we can continue doing what we are trained to do; care for our patients.”
SOMC nurses are members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, New Jersey’s largest health care union, representing more than 15,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities in New Jersey and Southern Pennsylvania.
Hackensack Meridian Health, a large healthcare corporation with 18 hospitals and other healthcare facilities, has already agreed to include nurse-to-patient ratios in another HPAE local contract negotiated last year. The contract at Local 5030 at Palisades Medical Center has staffing ratio language that Local 5138 nurses now want included in their contract.
HPAE President Debbie White, RN, says that nurses will no longer tolerate the status quo in our hospitals. They are no longer willing to work in an unsafe environment and are migrating out of our hospitals. We have a retention issue in our hospitals that will only be fixed by addressing staffing.
“HPAE Local 5138 nurses have made it clear they will not accept a contract without nurse-to-patient ratios,” White said, adding that the local’s members are fighting for a contract that protects patients and nurses. “The bottom line for nurses is patient safety. We’re standing up for our patients- not simply for ourselves. Nurses know that this is not a safe environment for patients, and we will fight for this language.”
In addition to Local 5138, several HPAE locals are currently in bargaining including: Local 5091 at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center; Locals 5131, 5621, 5142 at Inspira Health; Local 5185 at Bayonne Medical Center and Local 5186 at Christ Hospital.
For more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556.
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