Service and maintenance workers join nurse unit in New Jersey

Service and maintenance workers at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) in Secaucus, N.J., recently voted to affiliate with Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE).

The unanimous vote unites 156 workers who were part of the Meadowlands Employees Union, an independent union representing lab assistants, dietary aides, transporters and many other health professionals, with the registered nurses and technical employees who are already members of HPAE Local 5147. 

The workers affiliated with HPAE and AFT to increase their bargaining power and help organize other members of the Liberty Health system, a nonprofit, three-hospital system based in Hudson County.

HPAE organized the hospital’s registered nurses in April 1999, and the licensed practical nurses and technical workers organized with the union’s help that June. In 2005, HPAE assisted a unit of 17 technologists in a successful bid to win voluntary employer recognition of their union.