Welcome to Local 5118
Local 5118 represents Staff Nurses at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, NJ.
News
Local 5118 April 2025 Communications
HPAE continues to fight for the safety of our nurses, through our RN Safety and Violence Meetings and our ongoing conversations with Cooper Management.
General Membership Meeting, Friday, February 21
General Membership Meeting Tower Building 4th Floor Friday, February 21st 2025 7:00am—9:30am 11am-1:30pm 3pm—5pm Please arrange your schedule so that you can attend.
Local 5118 Member Mobilization Team
The member mobilization team consists of bargaining unit members who educate, organize, and encourage local members of HPAE Local 5118.
Doris Bell, President
Please take a moment to read this message from our President, Doris Bell. Thank you.
Local 5118 Union News, June 20, 2024
Late last week nursing administration and human resources reached out to the Local Executive Board. They informed us that SIP was being extended through July 13, not a full six week schedule. We counter proposed with an extension for six
Local 5118 Ratification Vote Results
We are proud to announce that we ratified our new Union contract tonight. 92% of the nurses who came out to vote, voted YES, to ratify the contract.
Local 5118 May 31 Negotiations Update and Tentative Agreements
On May 31st we reached a Tentative Agreement with Cooper. This means we will decide next Tuesday and Wednesday if we accept the agreement. If we vote yes, we will have a new union contract in place.
HPAE Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement with Coooper University Health Care
Just hours before the contract expiration, HPAE Local 5118 has reached a tentative agreement with Cooper University Health Care.
Local 5118 May 30 Negotiations Update
Today (5/30) we reached three tentative agreements...
Local 5118 May 29 Negotiations Update and Tentative Agreements
During the morning session the hospital gave us the tentative agreements we discussed at our last session. We reviewed across the table which of our articles are still open and that we will give them a package proposal after lunch.
Nurse Strike Looming At Cooper Hospital; Union Demands Better Staffing
Nurses at Cooper University Health Care will go on strike if they cannot get nurse-to-patient ratios in their new contract, according to union leadership.
Nurses threaten to strike at 3 NJ hospitals. Here’s why
About 3,000 nurses have voted to authorize a strike at three New Jersey hospitals ... as they battle for mandatory staffing ratios to be placed in their contracts, union officials announced Tuesday.
HPAE Press Advisory: Potential strikes at three large NJ Hospitals
HPAE members are in bargaining with three large health systems to negotiate enforceable staffing ratios into new contracts. Such ratios will improve working conditions, reduce workplace stress, and help in retention of staff.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update for May 20 & May 22
You guys rock! The turnout for leafleting was awesome and electric. It was the largest turnout ever for a leafleting.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, May 13, 2024
Yesterday (5/13) was a turning point in these negotiations. We had meaning discussions around the RN Safety and Violence Committee.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, May 8
Cooper was supposed to present their health insurance proposal on Wednesday. They did NOT come through. They said the representatives from Conner Strong were not prepared to present the information.
HPAE to hold a Safe Staffing, Saves LIVES Town Hall
Unionized nurses, healthcare workers and healthcare advocates from across the state will join HPAE at a Safe Staffing Town Hall in Cherry Hill at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, May 1
We did not reach any tentative agreements on Wednesday. They gave us several counter proposals to review all of which were non-economic. We reviewed them and will respond on May 8. Nothing earth shattering.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, April 24
We presented a comprehensive amended proposal on Violence Prevention which focuses on our safety at work? In return we received a counter proposal from Cooper to create a new committee - Workplace Safety. We rejected it.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, April 18
Wednesday's (4/17) session was frustrating and produced nothing. Cooper presented their initial staffing proposal as a package (this means we agree to all of it or it doesn't exist) which was disappointing.
Notice of 2024 Nomination and Election of Local 5118 HPAE and AFT Convention Delegates and Alternates
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that we are now accepting nominations to represent Local 5118 at this year’s HPAE State Convention , as well as the AFT National Convention.
HPAE CODE RED Press Conference
Local 5118 nurses attend HPAE Press Conference – Safe Staffing Saves Lives
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, April 3
April 3 Negotiations Update: We reached three tentative agreements (TA’s) today. Article 5.6 Baylor Nurse Definition, Article 5.7 Float Nurse, and Article 23.8 Professional Ladder. We will post them after they are signed by both parties. Today, we spent the
HPAE declares “CODE RED: Understaffed. Overworked. Unsafe for Everyone.”
Healthcare union’s new position paper details how stress and burnout is causing exodus of workers from New Jersey hospitals; strikes loom across state as healthcare workers fed up over hospital understaffing bargain over expiring contracts EMERSON—Nurses and other healthcare workers
Local 5118 Negotiations Update, March 27
To date, a great deal of our time has been spent discussing the need to improve KEEPING US SAFE AT WORK. We have a long way to go. Again, we went through each of our proposals across the table.
Local 5118 Bargaining Session #3 Update and Important Dates
The majority of today was spent on discussing Violence Prevention. They presented a power point that was filled with more of the same old stuff.
Local 5118 Negotiations Update – Cooper’s initial proposals
Our second bargaining session was on March 13. Cooper presented their initial set of proposals. We questioned each of those proposals. Please keep in mind, this is their initial set of proposals.
HPAE 5118 Local Officer Election
Local 5118 office elections for President, five (5) Vice Presidents and Secretary/Treasurer are complete. Since all the positions were uncontested, no ballots were mailed out.
Notice of Nominations and Election of HPAE Local 5118 Officers
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that there are seven (7) local officer positions that are up for election this year. They are President, 5 Vice Presidents and Secretary/Treasurer.
Local 5118 Negotiations Committee Signup
The time has come to select a team to represent our Local in the next round of contract negotiations.
Nurses Leaflet at Hospitals Across New Jersey, Build Momentum for May 11 Trenton Safe Staffing Rally
HPAE Nurses Leaflet at Hospitals Across New Jersey, Building Momentum to Next Month’s Rally in Trenton for Safe Staffing Frontline healthcare workers will gather at NJ State Capitol on Thursday, May 11, 2023 to urge lawmakers to mandate enforceable staffing
Local 5118 Union and Hospital Joint Committees
In our Union contract we have negotiated language that mandates that the Union and the hospital create specific joint committees. Both parties have input into what the committee is going to focus on. Our Voices are heard!
Local 5118 General Membership Meeting Notice, November 9, 2022
Hope to see you at one of our next General Membership Meetings. Date: November 9, 2022 Times: In person meetings – 8:00am and 1:00pm. Zoom Call meeting: 8:15pm Location: Hilton Garden Inn 1 Penn Street Camden, NJ 08102 Doris is
Violence Prevention Workshop, June 9th
Violence in our facilities has been exacerbated during the pandemic. In 2008, a law in NJ was passed outlining measures that are to be taken to reduce violent episodes and protect staff and patients.
LOCAL 5118 NOTICE OF 2022 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF AFT CONVENTION DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that they are now accepting nominations to represent Local 5118 at this year’s AFT National Convention. This year’s convention will be held at Boston Convention Center and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts, July 12th – 17th,
Local 5118 HPAE Convention Delegate Announcement
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that the following members will serve as delegates for HPAE Local 5118 at this year’s HPAE State Convention.
Notice of 2021 Nominations and Election of Local 5118 HPAE Convention Delegates and Alternates
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that they are now accepting nominations to represent Local 5118 at this year’s HPAE State Convention.
Local 5118 2021 RN Contract
Local 5118 Registered Nurses Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Cooper University Health Care 2021
Tentative Agreement Reached! Membership meetings on June 3
Today we reached a Tentative Agreement for a new contract with the hospital. The membership meetings to VOTE on our new contract is June 3 at 8:30, 1:00, 5:30 and 8pm.
Healthcare workers renegotiating contracts across New Jersey overwhelmingly authorize job actions in case of bargaining stalemates
Healthcare workers at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen and the Harborage, a long-term care facility at the Palisades campus voted to authorize concerted job action if Hackensack Meridian continues to stall during negotiations.
Instructions for attending virtual contract negotiations sessions
Members have asked if it’s possible to participate in our virtual contract negotiations.
Local 5118 Zoom membership calls, March 18
There will be four Zoom membership calls on March 18. We will be going over the Highlights of our 2021 contract proposals. You will be able to use the chat feature to submit questions to be addressed at the end
2021 Contract Negotiations Updates
Our 2021 contract negotiations will be like no other we have been through since organizing the union in 2000. Working through COVID-19 effects negotiations, our membership is different, and the Hospital Administration is different.
Nominations for the local 5118 officer elections are now open (deadline is 12/10)
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that there are seven (7) local officer positions that are up for election this year. They are President, 5 Vice Presidents and Secretary/Treasurer.
Cooper University Health Care Gives Hero Bonus
On September 24, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the Co-CEO’s announced a Hero’s Bonus for the Cooper Team.
ATTENTION: NEGOTIATIONS ARE CANCELLED FOR MARCH 12
The hospital reached out to us because Nursing Administration will not be able to be at negotiations on March 12 because they are setting up an Incident Command Center in order to manage the Coronavirus crisis.
Member Alert – Contract negotiations
All bargaining sessions will be held at The Hotel ML, in Mt. Laurel. If you are attending a session, please be there by 9:45.
Local 5118 Update – August 29, 2018
MANY NURSES, INCLUDING OUR UNION LEADERSHIP REACHED out to Nursing Administration to voice our anger, dismay, and concerns about the changes made to our Professional Ladder.
Local 5118 HPAE State Convention Nomination Form
The Nominations/Election Committee announces that they are now accepting nominations to represent Local 5118 at this year’s HPAE State Convention.
Cooper Calls Off Purchase of Lourdes Health System
Cooper University Health Care said Friday it "will no longer pursue the acquisition" of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and other assets of a Catholic-run health system.
Cooper RN Joan Davis Recounts Her Experience as a Volunteer in Puerto Rico
Saturday September 30, the call went out. It was sent via email to all of the sister unions of the AFL-CIO. Puerto Rico needs help. The AFL-CIO is the largest federation of unions in the United States. Several hundred
Local 5118 Update: Cooper Acquisition of Lourdes and Saint Francis Hospitals
On August 31 Cooper announced that it had executed a Letter of Intent to acquire Trinity Health’s New Jersey facilities. There are two Lourdes Hospitals (Camden and Burlington) and Saint Francis in Trenton. As the certified bargaining representative of the
HPAE Nurses join AFL-CIO Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico
HPAE Registered Nurses have boarded a chartered flight from Newark, NJ to Puerto Rico to provide medical support to the people of the island as they struggle to recover from the effects of Hurricane Maria.
Local 5118 Rep Meeting
Local 5118 Union Reps met yesterday for one of their regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year.
Local 5118 Provides Scholarship to Dominic Parone
Local 5118 presented its annual $1000 scholarship at the South Jersey Central Labor Council Labor Day breakfast to Dominic Parone, a flight nurse at Cooper University Hospital.
Cooper University Health Care to Acquire Three Hospitals
Cooper University Health System will acquire Lourdes Health System, with hospitals in Camden and Willingboro, and St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton from Trinity Health, under a preliminary deal announced Thursday. Click here to read a press release from Cooper
Local 5118 Ratifies Contract with Cooper University Hospital!
By a large majority, the members of local 5118 ratified their new contract yesterday with Cooper University Hospital. Read highlights of the agreement here.
Tentative Agreement Reached with Cooper: Ratification Vote on June 5th
The Local 5118 Negotiations Committee has reached a tentative contract settlement with Cooper University Hospital.
Local 5118 contract update, May 26
The bargaining committee has been hard at work for the past two months advocating for the issues that are important to us. Five months ago we identified our key issues for these negotiations. Staffing. We have good staffing language. The
Our Negotiating Committee Forces Cooper to Make Significant Moves
At yesterday's bargaining session, Cooper finally began to make significant moves to resolve the contract issues.
South Jersey Locals OK Strike Notices to Hospital Management
With less than two weeks to the expiration of their contracts on May 31st, RNs at Cooper University Medical Center and Virtua have each voted to give their Negotiations Committee the authority to issue a 10 day strike notice to
Local 5118 Nurses leaflet Cooper University Hospital
The nurses at Local 5118 came together in unity this morning to express their concerns about safe staffing, float districts, uninterrupted orientations for new nurses and charge nurses not having to take a patient assignment.
Cooper RNs Vote “Yes” for Strike Notice
With less than three weeks to go before our contract expires, Local 5118 members voted to give the Negotiations Committee the authority to send a 10 day strike notice to Cooper administration.
Cooper Still Rejecting All Our Key Proposals
With just a little more than three weeks left to our current contract, Cooper management representatives continue to reject our proposals on economics and improved staffing.
Staffing Petition Signed by Over 900 Cooper Nurses Presented to Administration
Cooper nurses have just demonstrated that we are determined to achieve a contract which guarantees substantial improvements in staffing at the hospital. At a bargaining session, a staffing petition signed by 900 nurses was presented to management.
Committee Meets with Cooper for 2nd Bargaining Session
The Local 5118 Negotiations Committee met with Cooper yesterday for our second day of negotiations and was encouraged by the tremendous support from members who came to the negotiations.
Union Nurses Begin Negotiations with Cooper Health Care for Patient Safety
This week, Registered Nurses at Cooper University Health Care (CUHC) began bargaining with management for a new contract. For the 1,300 registered nurses represented by HPAE, the focus of these negotiations is centered on patient safety and improving nurse staffing
Contract Negotiations Begin with Cooper Administration
The Local 5118 Negotiations Committee met with management representatives today for our first bargaining session in negotiations for a successor contract. While we have a number of contract proposals, our focus is on improving staffing.
Local 5118 at the Women’s March in Washington
HPAE Local 5118 members joined with the almost 4 million people who took part in the Women's March on Washington, D.C. and over 600 "sister marches" in the United States.
Nurses Leaflet to Show Support for Safe Staffing
Over 70 Local 5118 members at Cooper University Hospital came out this morning to leaflet in front of the hospital in support of safe staffing at the hospital.
Local 5118 Reps Hold Meeting, Discuss Legal Rights and Upcoming Negotiations
The dedicated Local 5118 Union Reps met last Sunday at one of their regular rep meetings. The focus of this meeting was the Reps’ role in the upcoming negotiations and their rights as Union Reps. Local 5118 Reps recently supported a class action
Convention Resolutions & Constitutional Amendments Support HPAE’s Strategic Plan for Growth
At the HPAE 2016 Convention, delegates came together to make important decisions about the future of our union through a series of resolutions, constitutional amendments, and by-laws changes.
Local Donates $1500 to Fellowship House in Camden
For the second year in a row, Local 5118 RNs at Cooper University hospital have given a substantial donation to the Fellowship House in Camden. After collecting $1,500 from the local’s membership, local officers presented the money (and a symbolic
Meeting Held Regarding PCU Issues
On February 5, 20 staff from PCU met with Local 5118 President Doris Bell and Local 5118 Secretary/Treasurer Patti Scharff to discuss some key issues facing the nurses: inadequate staffing levels, nurses in charge being asked to precept (violates
Thats all, folks - no more news!
In This Local
- Local 5118 Rn Contract 2024- 2027
- Membership Mobilization Flyer
-
2024 Contract Negotiations
- May 31 Tentative Agreement #1
- May 31 Tentative Agreement #2
- May 31 Tentative Agreement #3
- May 31 Tentative Agreement #4
- May 29 Tentative Agreements
- May 22nd Tentative Agreements
- May 20th Tentative Agreement- Article 31a
- May 20th Tentative Agreement - Article 15.1
- May 13 Tentative Agreement
- May 9 Tentative Agreements
- Tentative Agreements as of March 27
- Negotiations Dates
- Local 5118 Initial Proposals
- 2024 Contract Negotiations Information and Updates
- HPAE Membership Application
- Local 5118 Union and Hospital Joint Committees
- Local 5118 Officer and Rep List
- Local 5118 Meetings and Committees
- Local 5118 Communicator Newsletter
- Local 5118 Constitution and Bylaws (2017)
- Local 5118 Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) Form
- HPAE Retiree Medical Trust - Basic Information
- Information on Labor Unions
- Weingarten Rights and "Just Cause" for Disciplines
- NJDOL Division of Unemployment Insurance
- Local 5118 RN Contract 2021 - 2024
- AFT Occupational Liability Insurance Plan
Upcoming Events for Local 5118
No upcoming events at this time.
About Local 5118
