Registered nurses at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, N.J., began a one-day strike Nov. 26 amid contract negotiations, hospital and union officials confirmed.
The New York State Nurses Association, parent of the Shore Nurses Union, estimated that 290 nurses participated in the strike.
Union leaders say Shore Medical Center is trying to reduce nurses' benefits, such as medical leave and healthcare coverage, and has excluded them from parts of contract talks, according to the Patch news website. The union also claims the medical center has stopped nurses from entering the hospital to discuss union matters.
"Unfortunately, Shore management wants to cut many different items that would drive away the best nurses in the hospital," reads a statement obtained by Patch from Eric Smith, field director of the New York State Nurses Association. "We're largely looking for a status quo contract that we know will recruit and retain the best."
Shore Medical Center expressed disappointment about the strike.
Spokesperson Brian Cahill told Becker's: "It is disappointing that this out-of-state union asked our nurses to strike when nurses enjoy a total compensation package worth approximately $90,000 per year on a full-time basis. In addition, Shore has offered our nurses significant wage increases, and above-market benefits.
"We have the highest regard for the contribution of our nurses and will welcome them back when shifts are available. We will continue to negotiate with the union in good faith to reach an agreement that serves the interests of the medical center, our patients and our outstanding nurses."
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