NEPTUNE, N.J. (1010 WINS) – A New Jersey nurse and union leader who has spoken out about a lack of personal protective equipment at hospitals has reportedly been fired.
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Adam Witt, an emergency room nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center was fired amid an ongoing dispute over PPE, his union, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, said, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The union has now filed complaints against Hackensack Meridian Health, the owner of Jersey Shore University Medical Center and more than a dozen other hospitals across the state.
Witt has reportedly been raising the concerns of nurses about PPE in recent weeks, writing in one Facebook post on March 25: "The (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) has continued to water down the standards of what is appropriate protection to meet supplies versus supporting the science. Sometimes we don't even meet their reduced standards."
Hackensack Meridian Health pushed back against the union’s claims, saying it has not disciplined employees who have spoken out about PPE.
Nancy R. Corcoran-Davidoff, executive vice president for Hackensack Meridian, wrote in a statement: “The health, safety and well-being of every single one of our team members, especially those on the front line, has been and will always continue to be our number one concern.”
Corcoran-Davidoff said the company regularly gives employees the chance to ask questions and that it also monitors supplies at hospitals and makes sure employees wear their gear correctly.
“We have policies and procedures in place to protect our team members and patients that are all in accordance with CDC guidelines,” she said.
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