The Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPEA), the union that represents CarePoint Health workers, is reacting to their recent bankruptcy filing, calling for job security that includes keeping the Bayonne Medical Center for at least 10 more years.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“After years of uncertainty, it is critical that in any transfer of ownership of Bayonne Medical Center or any part of the CarePoint system, the NJ Department of Health must hold the owners accountable to ensure the hospitals remain open and accessible with services intact and available to the communities they serve,” HPAE President Debbie White said in a statement.
“In addition, whether through the Department or in bankruptcy proceedings union workers in all three hospitals must be recognized along with their respective collective bargaining agreements.”
CarePoint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday for help secure $67 million in financing, as HCV first reported, which came after Hudson Regional Hospital reaching a deal with CarePoint to run their four hospitals on October 30th.
They will operate under the Hudson Health System banner, a concept that was first unsuccessfully attempted in January.
White sent a letter to NJDOH Commissioner Dr. Kaitlan Baston in advance of their public hearing on November 13th at 6 p.m. regarding the transfer of ownership of Bayonne Medical Center to Hudson Regional Hospital.
In the letter, the union makes several specific requests as the hospitals move forward with new leadership.
That includes having the BMC remain a full-service acute care hospital for at least 10 years, the NJDOH financial monitor staying in place, for HRH to commit to investing at least $50 million into the BMC over the next five years, HRH must retain ownership of the BMC land and building, and all staff must remain employed under the conditions of their collective bargaining agreements.
They are also seeking the creation of a community advisory group to work with the BMC, as well as enforcing safe staffing ratios.
“The years of mismanagement has led us to the current state of affairs. Any future plan that falls short of these conditions will be unacceptable and a disservice to the communities in Hudson County,” White added.
Eight days before the deal with HRH was in motion, the HPAE was among several unions that came out to support the CarePoint hospital workers at a rally in Hoboken, imploring the hospitals to stay open regardless of the circumstances.
These hospitals have been had to file for bankruptcy protection before. At some point people need to realize all those hospital beds so close together are not needed. It also depletes the talent pool. Saint Francis hospital closed over 20 years ago without serious consequences. I believe its just throwing good money after bad