Joanne Dudsak

Registered nurse
Meadowlands Hospital, Secaucus, N.J.
Health Professionals and Allied Employees, Local 5147

At the joint conference of AFT Healthcare and AFT Public Employees held in Las Vegas, March 31-April 2, Joanne Dudsak was presented a 2011 AFT Everyday Hero award.

A few years ago, Meadowlands Hospital in New Jersey faced severe financial difficulties and was close to closing. Joanne Dudsak, a nurse at the hospital and the president of its local, worked tirelessly to ensure the future of the hospital’s patients and workers.

Knowing that losing Meadowlands would be a detriment to the community, Dudsak worked to gain the support of community members and local government officials in an effort to keep the hospital open. After a long battle, Meadowlands was taken over by a for-profit company. Dudsak was able to negotiate a fair contract that saved member jobs, and maintained good working conditions as well as the quality of patients care.

"Our primary goal has always been to protect our hospital, our patients and the caregivers," said Dudsak after the agreement was reached. "We wanted to make sure that when the ownership changed, the same dedicated staff would be by our patients’ bedsides. This agreement does that."

Dudsak "is truly a hero to her patients, her community and her co-workers," says her nominator.

Being honored as an Everyday Hero cemented the hard-fought victory for Dudsak and her members. "It is one of the highlights of my tenure as a union leader. To have your peers acknowledge and understand what you do is very special. It really recharges your battery." [photo by Michael Campbell]