Nurse union decries N.J. hospital plan affecting 105 workers

The health care workers union argues that Inspira didn't give them notice about the hospice plan but Inspira promises to retain its hospice employees.

VINELAND -- Inspira Health Network failed to inform a health care worker's union about changes to the hospital that affect the employment of 105 employees, according to the union.

In response, Inspira promises to find new positions for the employees in the transition.

Jane Humes | For NJ.com 

Inspira Health Network and Bayada Home Care, a private company that provides home care for patients, are working out a joint venture where Bayada will handle the hospital's hospice services for Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

The changes are expected to go into effect by mid-April and the 105 employees involved in Inspira's hospice services will either work for Bayada or find new employment in the health network.

According to the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union, the organization was not informed of the transfer of the network's home license to Bayada or that the transfer would affect 105 employees.

According to Inspira, the health network and Bayda have already discussed the change with the nurse staff and hospice program members.

HPAE represents 1,300 nurses at Inspira, including 31 nurses involved in hospice care.

"We demand that nurses' jobs and union rights be protected in any change of ownership," said Michelle Silvio, president of the local union, in a statement. "Inspira home care nurses provide quality, continuity of care in this community, and requiring nurses to reapply for their job puts patient care at risk."

Inspira Health Network filed a notice with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development about the 105 employees, per the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act).

"Inspira is committed to assisting all of their home care and hospice employees to identify positions available within the new joint venture," reads a statement by Inspira. "The network believes that nearly all of its home care and hospice employees will be offered positions. If any employees are not offered positions within the new joint venture, Inspira will work with them to find employment in other departments within the network."

Bayada will manage the joint venture from its offices in Millville and Woodbury.