SECAUCUS AND BEYOND – A nurses’ union has filed new charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Secaucus over a number of alleged violations, according to a recent press statement. The charges are the latest in an ongoing and drawn-out battle between MHMC and the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), which represents 350 Registered Nurses and health care professionals at the hospital.
The most recent list of alleged violations includes more than $150,000 in employee medical bills that have allegedly gone unpaid because, according to HPAE, the hospital has allegedly failed to provide funds for their self-insured health plan. Charges were also filed over the hospital’s alleged refusal to allow union staff into the hospital to meet with employees over grievances and labor violations, and over an increase in health insurance deductibles. HPAE has asked the state to appoint a temporary manager to bring the hospital into compliance with state patient safety and financial reporting laws.
In reaction to the last round of charges, Hospital Spokesperson William Maer said, “MHMC will not comment on rehashed, untrue, and fabricated accusations, created solely because of an ongoing labor issue, and with the main purpose of detracting from the excellence of the recent national quality and care rankings given to the hospital.”
He added that, “virtually all of the unions previous complaints have been dismissed and not substantiated. MHMC will continue to work toward providing quality healthcare for the patients it serves.”