ENGLEWOOD, N.J. -- Union nurses at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center went on strike Thursday morning after contract talks hit an impasse over proposed changes to the nurses' pension plan.
   
The 660 nurses, represented by the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, began picketing when the strike started at 7 a.m. Meanwhile, replacement nurses brought in by the hospital were making the rounds, caring for patients at the 520-bed teaching hospital.

The union said the nurses would hold a rally later in the morning. Officials with Health Professionals and Allied Employees said in a statement that the hospital turned down its offer for binding arbitration on Tuesday night, when the two sides last held a bargaining session.

Hospital officials claim the union wants the "gold standard'' of pension plans, which they say has become unaffordable. Among the proposals under consideration at the last bargaining session was one to keep a scaled-back pension for current nurses, but give nurses hired after Jan. 1, 2007 a defined contribution plan instead, similar to a 401(k) plan.

"We are anxious to get back to the table and reach a settlement,'' but no talks are currently scheduled, said hospital spokeswoman Maria Margiotta.

The hospital had locked out the nurses for three days earlier this month after contract talks broke down.
   
On the Net:
http://www.hpae.org
http://www.englewoodhospital.com/