LOCAL 5138 MEMBER UPDATE – MAY 14, 2025

After three months of negotiations, HMH has refused to address our demand for enforceable staffing ratios, even though Palisades Medical Center (HPAE Local 5030) won a union contract with ratios last year. Why does HMH think our patients deserve less?

On wages, HMH has proposed just a 3% raise to current nurses and a 3.75% raise to new hires. Why does HMH refuse to reward our loyalty and experience?

Our nurses at Local 5138, along with our friends in the community that our hospital serves, have been urging HMH to come back to the table and negotiate a fair contract with staffing ratios and a competitive wage scale that will retain and recruit nurses.

Bob Garrett, CEO of HMH, and the HMH executives have refused to listen to our message of safe staffing and fair pay. Yesterday, SOMC nurses drove all the way to HMH headquarters in Edison and brought this message to them directly!

Can you hear us now, Bob?

We left a strong message and made sure that HMH heard our demand for a FAIR CONTRACT NOW!

After, we went to the Metropark train station, where HMH is building a new $200 million corporate headquarters.

How does HMH have money for this, but not for safe staffing or fair pay for nurses?

Overall, we were overwhelmed with the solidarity and community support we received, including Jersey Shore Local 5058 President, Dan Hayes; cab drivers and commuters at the train station; and construction workers at the new headquarters!

HMH emailed us this morning after yesterday’s action at corporate HQ. HMH emailed that they are willing to come back to the table. The union offered dates through the FMCS mediator, and we await HMH’s response.

We will continue to take collective action until HMH does the right thing and makes a serious proposal that includes staffing ratios to protect our patients and a decent wage. Stay tuned and join in as we fight for a FAIR CONTRACT NOW!

In Solidarity,

Anna Pona and Sybil Schriever, Your Local 5138 President and Grievance Chair

Email: Local5138@hpae.org                               Website: https://www.hpae.org/local/local-5138/