RWJ University Hospital plans to cut off health care benefits for nurses on strike
Nurses on strike will have their benefits cut off starting Friday, Sept. 1.
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Nurses currently striking at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick will soon have their health care benefits temporarily suspended by the facility.
Nurses have been on strike for almost a month. Their benefits will be cut off starting Friday, Sept. 1. Not only are those on strike not getting paid, but the addition of having to pay for health insurance will be a massive hardship for the more than 1,700 nurses participating in this strike. The hospital is hoping the Union will consider the impact this strike has had on patients and the facility.
As benefits will be suspended, those striking will need to pay through Cobra. This will allow them to continue benefits for a limited time. But ultimately, it’ll be a massive cost - anywhere from $700 up to $2,500 a month under that plan paying out of pocket.
The union's website has information on what will happen in the event of a strike. The website says, "Your medical insurance will be covered until the end of the month. On Tuesday, July 11 we will know if it will be covered longer. In the chance it is not, USW has Strike Insurance Plan that will cover you and your family at the minimal cost."
The two sides have met on a few select occasions - but haven’t been able to come to an agreement on staffing guidelines, sick time, pay and insurance benefits. The last time both sides met was Aug. 16. There has been no talk regarding any future bargaining sessions. The hospital has hired nurses to fill roles while the strike continues.
