Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Statement on Nurses' Informational Rally

Livingston, NJ (October 28, 2026) – RWJBarnabas Health released the following statement from a spokesperson in response to an informational rally held by the union representing Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses:

"RWJBarnabas Health is one of New Jersey’s largest employers and is proud to be home to 35 collective bargaining units across the enterprise, making our health system one of the state’s largest union-friendly employers.

"For the past two months, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) has been negotiating in good faith with New Jersey Nurses Union/CWA Local 1091 on a new three-year contract. At a time when healthcare providers across the country are scaling back services and announcing mass layoffs, CBMC remains committed to investing in its workforce and maintaining stability.

"CBMC has proposed a 3.5% wage increase in the first year, along with time-off benefits that are consistent with those offered at other hospitals across the system. Currently, nurses at CBMC receive more time off than nurses at other RWJBarnabas Health hospitals.

"The union is seeking a 24% wage increase over three years, along with other economic proposals that would increase healthcare costs by more than $43 million if accepted. CBMC remains committed to constructive, good-faith negotiations with union representatives to reach an agreement that recognizes the important contributions of its 1,600 dedicated nurses while maintaining the hospital’s long-term sustainability.

"The informational rally held today by NJNU/CWA Local 1091 is a routine part of the collective bargaining process during nursing contract negotiations."

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