Union Leaders Concerned For Rockleigh Health Care Workers

ROCKLEIGH, NJ — Union leaders are worried about how health care workers will be affected by the closure of the Bergen County Health Care Center in Rockleigh at the end of 2021, which county officials announced recently, according to Northjersey.com.

“Nobody during COVID had more of a front line battle with the pandemic than the people who were working in a nursing home,” Connor Shaw, the political director of the United Service Workers Union, told the paper. “They were just at the front line of a once-in-100-year health crisis, and now their jobs are getting thrown into chaos.”

To avoid job cuts, the county has secured new positions at the County Health Department and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, officials said.

However, Shaw is concerned with the plan, as nursing home employees get a slightly lower hourly wage in exchange for good benefits and pensions, which aren't guaranteed going forward, according to Northjersey.com.

“We don't think that there's enough thought and consideration put into what's going to happen to the employees,” Shaw told the publication.

READ MORE: Bergen County Health Care Center Will Close By The End Of 2021

A 60-day notification period is required for this type of action, but officials said they've announced their decision well ahead of that timeline in an effort to provide "residents and families with plenty of time to plan a transition."

In-patient health care services will be consolidated into one facility: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. Long-term care will be provided at the Paramus hospital, which also provides immediate access to acute care services as well as pharmacy, diagnostic, hearing and dental services, officials said.

Current residents have the option to stay within the county network by relocating to Bergen New Bridge.

Additional reporting by Montana Samuels.