A federal mediator for the nurses on strike at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick will hold the next bargaining session Friday.

The hospital said in a statement that it looks forward to resuming negotiations, with "hope the union shares our commitment to reaching a resolution that ends this strike immediately and prioritizes the well-being and livelihood of our nurses and their families."

More than 1,700 of United Steel Workers 4-200 have been on the picket line for two months. Nurses are demanding that the hospital adopt enforceable safe staffing ratios that keep patients safe – particularly for those who are most vulnerable. They're also asking for better staffing, better pay and not to be punished for taking a sick day.

A news conference will be held Friday in Iselin outside the FMCS Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.