The nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital may go on strike after all.

The nurses union president apparently supported the most recent contract offer by the hospital. However, the more than 800 nurses rejected the New Brunswick hospital?s latest proposal. Many nurses say the sticking point is the healthcare plan. Currently, the nurses get free medical care at the hospital, but they say many don?t live near the facility and have to shell out high co-pays elsewhere.

The hospital responded to the nurses? healthcare plan concerns by adding 50 physicians to the plan as well as three other institutions, where nurses can get 100 percent coverage for all emergency and non-emergency treatment. The proposed plan also calls for a 3 percent wage increase. But, nurses say it?s still not enough.

The nurses have threatened to strike on August 24. Hospital officials say they have plans in place to provide replacement care if necessary. Hospital representatives also provided News 12 New Jersey with what appears to be a copy of an agreement signed by the local union president and the head of the International Steel Workers Union.

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