Robert Wood Johnson Univ Hospital Nurses to Strike

[lee1]

Registered nurses start strike August 24, 2006 at 7am at Robert Wood Johnson Univeristy Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ

Nurses reject contract proposal

Home News Tribune Online 08/17/06

By DAVID STEGON

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

NEW BRUNSWICK-The Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital nurses union yesterday overwhelmingly rejected the hospital's latest labor contract offer, opening the door for a strike to begin at 7 a.m. on Aug. 24, according to union officials.

"The membership is sending a clear message to the hospital that health-care coverage is just substandard, and they won't accept it," said Jeanne Clark, a spokeswoman for the nurses union and a nurse at the hospital for 16 years. "We've got more work to do."

The nurses rejected the revised contract by a vote of 616 to 252, with one member abstaining.

The nurses rejected the hospital's original offer by a 765-165 vote on July 27.

[clcrtrn]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the support in these posts. I know at least one other reader and poster is also a RWJ nurse on the line; to hear so much positive feedback to our plight is uplifting!

Our insurance is good through the end of September...I can breathe a little easier now! Some nurses on the line have been getting calls from head nurses stating that 50 more nurses crossed the line and would they want to work this weekend. TOTAL LIE!!! So far only 60 total have crossed. Sounds like they're getting desperate.

Finally....somewhat more positive, if not more truthful articles!!

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS/609080459&SearchID=73256256952403

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/NEWS/609070498&SearchID=73256256988387

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEWS/609060355&SearchID=73256257014562

week 3, still standing strong!!!

[fedupnurse]

Yup, the phone calls and intimidation like that happens. Managers will choose people they feel are more likely to cross or be upset by the news that people have crossed. Tell people if they get calls to ask for specific names. Of course mgmt won't tell them but it will at least put them on the spot. I'd also consider having a voice recorder near the phone and tell any person who calls trying to intimidate me into coming back "Hi, I need to tell you that I am recording this conversation...." I would then pursue harassment charges against them while the strike is ongoing. It is amazing what hospitals will do and spend to get their way!!!!

Congrats on so few people crossing!! That is impressive!!!!!!

[nyforlove]

how on earth did a large place like rwj get eough nurses in and up and running today??

i read they got nurses in from all over the country and world!

They get them from this company based in Colorado that exists for the purpose of providing replacements--see this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/replacement-nurse-company-undermines-progress-178050.html

[RNBarb]

I've been out walking our picket line for all but 3 days now. What continues to impress and amaze me me is the ongoing determination and resolve my co-workers are showing. What a GREAT group of people we have! Nurses from all areas of the hospital have bonded and joined together to stand up and fight for what we believe is right. Not one nurse out there WANTS to be there...we all want to get back to doing what we do best, taking care of our patients. The fact that we continue to support each other, encourage each other, and help each other is a testament to our committment and solidarity. Thank you all for the words of encouragement and support. UNITED WE STAND1

[trishwille]

RWJ Hosp Nurses:

Keep Your Eye On The Ball......

Mgt. Has Always Hated Unionized Nurses

Look At All The Money They Spend To Break Unions.....

Actions Speak Louder Than All Their Words......

[lee1]

I've been out walking our picket line for all but 3 days now. What continues to impress and amaze me me is the ongoing determination and resolve my co-workers are showing. What a GREAT group of people we have! Nurses from all areas of the hospital have bonded and joined together to stand up and fight for what we believe is right. Not one nurse out there WANTS to be there...we all want to get back to doing what we do best, taking care of our patients. The fact that we continue to support each other, encourage each other, and help each other is a testament to our committment and solidarity. Thank you all for the words of encouragement and support. UNITED WE STAND1

What do the nurses think they will get when negotiations resume? Do you know that you can possibly lose things also???

[trishwille]

Life Is A Risk.....

So Keep Eye On The Ball....

Do Not Be Intimated By Anyone....

[RNBarb]

What do the nurses think they will get when negotiations resume? Do you know that you can possibly lose things also???[/quote

A better health care plan is what we expect! Of course we know we could lose things, but if we all believed that, we would not be pounding the pavement, talking to the community, politicians, friends, neighbors and the media. Nurses DESERVE quality health care! Be thankful for groups like us who are willing to fight for what is right! EVERYONE benefits in the end.

[ironica01]

2 of the nurses I know received calls from RWJUH already but did not pick up their phones once they saw its the hospital calling them knowing that they will be asked to cross the picket. The hospital is so desperate looking for nurses to work this weekend.

We will lose things of course once the negotiations resume, but the fact that we stood and fought together is a big accomplishment. this only tells you that we are UNITED and we will not allow any intimidations from the higher ups to break us.

[adawg67]

Go health care workers! I admire and encourage all healthcare workers to stand up for themselves and their patients. All the rest---well hey there are Codependant Anonymous meetings for you.

Striking is always a last resort and something that is never voted on lightly by the members of a union. ...and management always has time to come to the table and settle. The law mandates that healthcare workers- not just RN's ---as providing healthcare is a team effort...have to give 10 days notice to the employer before going on strike.

[mekrn]

To my fellow RWJ nurses::wink2:

We are almost there! Please, PLEASE don't give up now. They are starting to crumble. The ED is on complete bypass! They cannot take or handle any patients! They are now begging nurses to cross the picket line! WHY WOULD WE DO THAT!? Don't forget, this is the whole point of a strike! They NEED US too much! Do not let them sway you. Be offended if they call you because that means they think YOU are the weak link. YOU ARE NOT! You have done this for 3 weeks and you are strong! We stuck together like glue and look how far we have come!!! Don't turn back now! We are almost there! You can do this! If you need a job, don't be discouraged by local hospitals that refuse to hire us. Go through an agency and you will be working in those very same hospitals tomorrow! Many have already done it. Remember, we want a FAIR contract. Please do not vote yes until one is proposed. I know some will be tempted to vote yes on any crumbs they throw at us just to get back to work. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE HOPING FOR! We didn't come all this way to give in! As long as we stay strong we will succeed! WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER AND THE HOSPITAL IS DROWNING!!!!!:pumpiron:

PLEASE, DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pickledpepperRN]

Build high the bridge from span to span

Look up fellow nurses, the moment's now at hand

Join your comrades on the line and don't let them fall

For in union there's a place for all

Yes in union there is strength for all

Build a union with hope for one and all

Joignez vos camarades sur la ligne, ne les laissez pas tomber.

C'est dans l'union qu'il y a une place pour tous.

These are words from singer/actor Ronnie Gilbert's play about the American labour hero, Mother Jones