Judge issues temporary restraining order in RWJ nurses strike. Here's what it does
NEW BRUNSWICK – A Superior Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting striking nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital from blocking entrances to the hospital, disrupting traffic and intimidating workers and visitors.
Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Thomas McCloskey entered the order requested by the hospital on Monday, a day before the union representing the nurses announced it voted to reject a proposed three-year contract with the health care facility.
A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday.
The judge's action and the nurses' vote come as the strike against the hospital is in its second month.
“We are deeply disappointed that United Steel Workers 4-200, the union representing our nurses, voted today to prolong their strike indefinitely," said Wendy Gottsegen, spokesperson for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
“It is clear by today’s action that the union does not share in our commitment to reaching a resolution that ends this strike immediately and prioritizing the wellbeing and livelihood of their nurses and families," Gottsegen said.
During a six-hour mediation session last week, the union was presented with options of agreeing to terms, entering in binding arbitration or continuing their work stoppage.
“RWJUH did everything it could to avoid a strike and urges the union to work with us to reach a resolution," Gottsegen said. "This strike cannot go on forever.”
In issuing the temporary restraining order, McCloskey wrote that the union has "engaged in unlawful acts," including obstructive picketing, blocking hospital entrances and exits and intimidating and coercing other hospital employees and others doing business with the hospital.
The judge also wrote that the union's actions have interfered with "essential" emergency and medical services and could delay patient care.
McCloskey wrote the temporary restraining order is "necessary and proper to restrain such unlawful acts which in the absence of such relief are likely to continue."
Besides the 1,700 nurses, the hospital employs more than 2,700 employees not represented by any union and 1,155 employees represented by two other labor organizations. None of those workers have joined the strike.
The primary sticking point in the negotiations is staffing levels at the hospital.
“Short staffing remains our number one priority, and our members clearly don’t believe this contract went far enough in this area,” said United Steelworkers Local 4-200 President Judy Danella in a press release. “We need better staffing so that we can keep workers safe on the job and continue providing top-quality care for our patients.”
“We encourage management to come back to the table with an offer that reflects our dedication and prioritizes safety and health,” Danella continued.
The hospital has said the nurses are the highest paid in the state and all offers by the hospital would have elevated their status.
The hospital said it recognizes the toll the pandemic took on its nurses and has worked to address staffing by adding 200 staff nurse positions since last year, while New Jersey faces 14,000 nurse vacancies.
Another point of contention is the hospital apparently penalizing nurses who call out sick, something the union would like to see removed, Danella has said.
According to Danella, the hospital maintains nurses take turns calling out sick to get a monetary benefit, but she has said nurses get sick benefits because they work in an environment where people have COVID and respiratory infections.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital nurses strike continues
