Tell UMDNJ They've Got the Wrong Role Model

After all the scandals, UMDNJ promised to change its ways. They promised to negotiate with their health care professionals. Promised to open the process to reform by involving front-line caregivers in developing solutions to the fiscal problems. They're not keeping those promises. We need to hold them to their word. Let the administration at UMDNJ know that one of the nation's leading health care teaching, research and patient care institutions should behave better than Wall Street.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: UMDNJ Health Care Workers Deserve a Fair Increase

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm writing to ask that UMDNJ return to the bargaining table with the Professionals of HPAE Local 5094 and Registered Nurses of HPAE Local 5089, to negotiate a fair settlement with a fair wage increae.

The 3,600 Health Professionals and Registered Nurses at UMDNJ and University Hospital in Newark are invaluable to the citizens of New Jersey and deserve a fair and reasonable wage increase.

In these hard economic times, UMDNJ's offer of a wage freeze, combined with a 1.5% concession for health care is simply unacceptable, as is the lack of bargaining since September.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 01, 2008


Background Information

After all the scandals and abuses, the management at UMDNJ is turning their back on the very people who worked hard and got the job done -- while those at the top abused the public trust. For seven months the administration at UMDNJ hasn't seriously negotiated with the 3,600 health professionals and Registered Nurses represented by HPAE. Since September they haven't negotiated at all.

After promising to re-open wage negotiations -- UMDNJ management instead demanded a wage freeze and a mid-contract imposition of a 1.5% payment for health insurance. Layoffs are taking place... and more are a constant threat.

Instead of fair pay for front line health professionals and nurses, UMDNJ is top heavy with administrators -- often hired with the promise of bonus programs.

Failing to offer competitive wages is a false economy. It only makes it harder to attract and retain the best staff -- the very professionals who can help UMDNJ regain its reputation.

Losing these health professionals and nurses will mean that research, mental health and community services and patient care will suffer.

From Washington to Wall Street change is coming. It's time to end the old ways at UMDNJ too.