HPAE leaders estimated that just two claims, for nurse intern wages and 401K contributions, would amount to more than $2.5 million in restitution.
TRENTON -- A health employee union won a long and contentious court battle with Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus that requires the for-profit owners to pay millions of dollars in back wages, retirement income, unpaid health benefits and to reverse some layoffs.
A three-member panel appointed by the National Labor Relations Board issued a 147-page decision Thursday that finds Meadowlands committed numerous unfair labor practices in violation of the contract with Health Professionals and Allied Employees.
HPAE accused hospital management of denying fair wages to nurse interns, making unilateral changes to insurance coverage, failing to make 401k contributions, improperly laying off staff, and blocking protected union organizing activities.
NLRB files complaint against Meadowlands Hospital
HPAE leaders estimated that just two claims, for nurse intern wages and 401K contributions, would amount to more than $2.5 million in restitution.
"These workers have persevered and continued to provide care to the community, even as their rights were systematically and continuously violated," Ann Twomey, president of the 13,000-member HPAE, including 300 of whom work at Meadowlands., said in an announcement Friday morning.
"We applaud this decision, and intend to pursue every legal means to make sure that Meadowlands' owners set aside adequate funds to repay workers their rightful wages and earned benefits," she said.
The hospital's spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Richard Lipsky and Tamara Dunaev, two of the top officials at Meadowlands, committed some of the offenses in retaliation for holding press conferences detailing its grievances with the hospital. Lipsky was recorded in a meeting as telling labor leaders: "If you do not cease the media campaign we will never come to any agreement. Every issue will have to go to the (National Labor Relations Board)."
It wasn't clear whether the decision would have an impact on Meadowlands' future plans. The hospital is up for sale, and the owner of a surgery center in Hackensack has offered to buy it. The Department of Health is reviewing the terms of the purchase.
Meadowlands, saved from bankruptcy when the for-profit company bought it six years ago, has seen patient volumes plummet over the last year. The facility is licensed for 221 beds but census has been below 50.
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.