Strike threatened at dialysis center that handles 100 patients daily

Strike threatened at dialysis center that handles 100 patients daily
Monday, December 31, 2007
By EARL MORGAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Employees of Jersey City's Fresenius Medical Services facility - which provides dialysis to more than 100 patients daily - are prepared to go on strike early Thursday morning.

Sue Cleary is president of Local 1199J, which represents nurses, technicians and dialysis assistants who work at the Fresenius complex on Pacific Avenue, between Forrest Street and Carteret Avenue. She said negotiations stalled last week, over what she termed as the company's insistence on a salary cap for employees.

"We are willing to return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations," Cleary said. "However, if we are unable to agree on a contract, we will strike Thursday."

Susan Jewell, the company's area assistant manager, said the company has offered to give employees at the top of the pay scale two semi-annual "merit pay bonuses" instead of raises.

Cleary said about 48 of the 50 employees her local represents are Jersey City residents.

Fred Suening, the acting manager of the Pacific Avenue complex, said even if the union strikes, the facility will remain open.

"We treat 100 patients a day who need out-patient dialysis," Suening said. "Where would that number of patients go?"

Jewell said Fresenius has three other locations in the area and will use non-union staff from those locations to help out in Jersey City if the employees walk out.

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