The Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, which represents 1,300 nurses at Woodbury, N.J.-based Inspira Health Network, including more than 30 involved in hospice care, claims IHN did not properly inform the union about planned changes to hospice services that affect the employment of 105 workers, according to a report on NJ.com.
IHN and BAYADA Home Health Care, a privately held home health care company based in Moorestown Township, N.J., are working out a joint venture where BAYADA will handle the IHN's hospice services for Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties in New Jersey, according to the report. The changes are expected to affect 105 employees involved in IHN's hospice services, who will either work for BAYADA or find new employment within IHN.
But the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union has filed a grievance against IHN, claiming the health network failed to provide proper notice about the transfer of IHN's home health license to BAYADA, according to a Courier-Post report. According to the Courier-Post, unionized nurses want to bargain with IHN over the potential loss of jobs or changes in service provided to patients in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
IHN said it discussed the changes with nurse staff and hospice program members, and will help home care and hospice employees identify positions available within the new joint venture, NJ.com reported.
IHN added, "The network believes that nearly all of its home care and hospice employees will be offered positions. If any employees are not offered positions within the new joint venture, Inspira will work with them to find employment in other departments within the network."
The changes are expected to take effect by mid-April.