More New Jersey Hospital Workers Join CWA

A unit of 73 certified nursing assistants joined CWA last week, growing the union's presence at a recently privatized county hospital.

The 34-4 vote capped off a year of intense worksite, community, and political organizing at Aspen Hills/Buttonwood Hospital in New Jersey. CWA Local 1036 has now organized more than 150 workers at the hospital.

"We have organized almost all of the non-management jobs at the now-private facility. It took the courage of the new workers to vote for CWA, many of whom will now be in a union for the first time," reported CWA District Organizing Coordinator Anne Luck.

Early last year Burlington County's legislature, or Freeholder Board, voted to privatize the hospital. Rather than lose the unit, CWA Local 1036 fought to protect workers' representation rights. Members strengthened their community coalition in its battle against the County and the hospital's new owners, Aspen Hills/Ocean Healthcare. In September, 50 workers won voluntary recognition.

Then in November, after canvassing and phone banking for three months, CWAers defeated the two incumbent Republican members of the Freeholder Board who had voted in favor of the $15 million sale and privatization of the hospital. The Democratic challengers had campaigned in part by supporting workers and advocating the role of good union jobs in quality health care.