A nurse’s strike is looming at three of New Jersey’s largest hospitals.
The union representing nurse and health care workers at Englewood Hospital, Cooper University and Hackensack Meridian Palisades say that contracts for the employees expire Friday.
The union says it is fighting for safe staff-to-patient ratios and that it is ready to submit a 10-day strike notice.
News 12 has reached out to all three hospitals. A spokesperson from Englewood Hospital responded by stating “No comment.”
A spokesperson for Hackensack Meridian Health stated in part, "We are disappointed HPAE Local 5030 is threatening the possibility of taking our dedicated Palisades Medical Center team members on strike. We have been bargaining in good faith with the union and feel we are making progress."
And a spokesperson for Cooper University says that the hospital, "has been negotiating in good faith with HPAE and has proposed a significant wage increase and enhanced staffing ratios – some of the strongest in the state, once again, demonstrating Cooper's commitment to its nurses and patient safety."