A Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order to nurses on strike at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital over the extent of their picketing outside the New Brunswick facility. Nearly 1,700 nurses have been on strike there since Aug. 4.
Judge Thomas Daniel McCloskey issued the order after an emergency hearing Monday as RWJ officials argued the picketers block entrances, parking garages, intimidate employees and obstruct buses carrying replacement nurses. The judge agreed the striking nurses’ conduct may be seen as “unlawful acts,” interfering with essential emergency and medical services.
A hearing is set for Friday morning when the judge will decide whether to issue a preliminary injunction.
Judy Danella, president of the nurses union, called the allegations a “union-busting tactic” and “fabricated.”
On Tuesday, the nurses overwhelmingly voted to remain on strike after refusing the hospital’s latest contract offer, saying it did not meet safe staffing demands.
