>> tonight on NJ Spotlight News, strike notice.

Nurses at RW Jay University Hospital reject the latest contract proposal.

Staffing and health insurance still a major concern as a strike looms.

Also, not in my backyard.

Freshman Congressman Robert Menendez is calling for the closure of the Elizabeth detention center in his district.

Despite opposition from the White House.

>> it is about reflecting the values of the community and having this detention center operational in Elizabeth is not consistent with our values.

>> an explosion at rocks a Newark housing complex leaving six people injured, dozens displaced and an investigation is now underway as residents demand answers.

>> it was really bad, there was a shattered glass all over the pavement.

Doors were opened off the hinges, it was really bad.

>> and leaving a legacy.

Health commissioner Judy, who led the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is retiring and reflects on her career.

>> I retired a couple of times.

I am not very good at it, but this time I think it will stick.

>> NJ Spotlight News Starts Right now.

Announcer: Funding for "NJ Spotlight News" funded by the members of the New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

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♪ >> from NJ PBS, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

>> good evening and thank you for joining us this Monday night.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

Hundreds of nurses could soon hit the picket line.

At union representing roughly 1500 nurses at Robert Johnson University Hospital in a New Brunswick today issued a strike notice.

It is a warning giving health-care workers the ability to walk off the job 10 days from now of contract negotiations are not settled.

The union is pushing for more staffing and better pay, rejecting the most recent contract offer from the hospital.

Those issues are being echoed by hospital workers across the state, like in Essex County, where nurses from another hospital rallied this weekend, voicing their own concerns.

As Melissa Rose Cooper reports, a strike of this magnitude could have severe consequences.

>> I worked through a pandemic prior to joining the postpartum unit that I am on now and if it was for money, I would have left a long time ago.

And so with my colleagues.

>> instead, Leah, a registered nurse at Clara vast Medical Center, says her dedication to help the community is what is keeping her there.

She feels inadequate staffing at the hospital is putting her patients as well as herself in danger.

>> so if I do not have ancillary support to help and I have eight patients, to take care of, that will make it more difficult.

I cannot answer calls the way I want to, I cannot rush to an emergency if I need to.

Those are really some of the things that's really important when it comes to having adequate staffing.

I do not feel protected, the patients will not feel protected and it definitely makes my job more difficult.

>> they are one of hundreds of other nurses fighting for better working conditions.

>> we are constantly being thrown into situations that make us feel unsafe in the attitude from management is like deal with it.

They think it is OK to give us up to eight patients regularly, but that is OK. That is not OK. We cannot do what we need to do and it causes stress on us.

>> last year nurses voted to unionize so that their concerns could be addressed, but today negotiations have been unsuccessful.

Union members voiced frustrations over the weekend at this rally outside of the hospital.

>> when our nurses came to bargain -- they have been bargaining for many months now, and they were bargaining as soon as this week, when they spoke up and said we need to do something about the staffing levels at our facility, we want to make sure that our patients are going to be OK.

Didn't management essay we hear you?

And we are going to do right?

No.

Otherwise, we would be here, but we would be at the park having fun.

We are here today because what management did is walked away.

>> this comes as nurses at RW J University Hospital Ferd -- failed to agree on the latest proposal.

>> issues include short staffing.

We still have -- they have hired nurses, but we are using 120 travelers on any given day within the hospital.

So though staffing is not up to par that the nurses want it to be.

They want ratios in the contract, specific guidelines.

They did to put guidelines in our tentative agreement, but the guidelines did not take into account if a nurse is out sick.

The guideline included the travelers, so the nurses were not happy that if they were sick that it would penalize their own floor all along the way.

They wanted actual ratios in the contract.

>> now they are prepared to go on strike next week if an agreement cannot be reached.

Something that the staff is hoping to avoid.

>> we do not have the resources that you might see at other hospitals, which makes our job so much harder, right?

But it also makes each and every one of these people behind me some of the best nurses you will ever have in your life.

>> we reached out to rwj Barnabas for comments and are awaiting a response.

Staff want what they deserve and will not stop fighting until it happens.

For NJ Spotlight News, I am Melissa Rose Cooper.

>> meanwhile, more trouble is brewing for our WJ New Brunswick.

The executive committee of the Rutgers University Senate on Friday held an emergency meeting, asking Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway to pause a controversial merger between the universities to medical schools.

The New Jersey medical school in Newark and Robert Wick Johnson medical school in New Brunswick, which was approved unanimously by Riker board of governors July 10.

In the emergency session, the University Senate passed a resolution saying the group has lost confidence in the leadership of President Holloway.

Members say their concerns about the merger were ignored and many felt the Board of governors rushed to approve the proposal.

Well, an investigation is ongoing after part of a two-story Newark apartment building was left in ruins Friday night.

It was the result of an explosion that rocked the complex, leaving several people injured and many more out of their homes.

Residents say that in the days leading up to the explosion, they smelled gas and reported it, but as Ted Goldberg reports, it is unclear whether their concerns were ignored.

>> I was watching TV and I heard the explosion.

I thought it was a car accident.

>> people at Stephen Crane Village in Newark were rattled when an explosion tore through this apartment building on Friday.

The building collapsed and has left at least six people injured in more than 30 people displaced from their homes.

>> I was putting my two and a half-year-old daughter to sleep and then the explosion just happened out of nowhere.

Outside -- I saw the smoke and a lot of people running and screaming.

Seeing if there was anyone injured.

>> the street, I just saw big smoke.

And I was just worried for the kids because they were kids outside.

>> it was really bad.

Shattered glass all over the pavement, doors were open off the hinges.

It was really bad, really horrific.

>> residents can only speculate as to what caused the explosion which has brought police in yellow tape to the neighborhood.

>> one of the people that I had watching my home while I was away, they smelled gas.

So a lot of people are afraid to even turn their heaters on.

>> pseg responded on Friday and shut off utilities.

Stephen Crane village is a public housing complex managed by the Newark Housing Authority.

Residents are upset with how little communication there has been since the explosion and the collapse three days ago.

>> I got this from the news, I found out through the news in family and friends.

I mean, I'm leaving my mom and my mom is sending me photos of the crash site.

That is how bad it got covered.

So if the news already knows, then they obviously should be out here with you guys, talking to you guys and letting you know what they are going to plan to do or their ideas.

>> I have not heard anything, I have not heard anything regarding my safety, my child safety, what we are going to do to prevent future explosions like this.

I have not heard anything.

It is really frustrating.

>> the Newark Housing Authority was unavailable to comment.

Over the weekend, the American Red Cross stepped in to lend food and clothing for people who do not have a home to go back to.

>> are disaster workers have met with the families and they will continue to follow up with those families within 72 hours of the incident.

And they will see if there is anything else that they can help with.

Additional emotional support or if there are referrals for other nonprofits and agencies that might be able to help them with their recovery needs.

>> leaders say they are trying to figure out what caused the explosion in the first place.

In Newark, Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

>> New Jersey's federal lawmakers are adding their voices to a growing list of advocates who want to see the Elizabeth detention center shut down.

The prison was slated to close August 31 as part of a 2021 law signed by Governor Murphy.

It put an end to all immigration detention contracts here.

Now the private company operating the facility is suing the state to keep its doors open, saying it would be a catastrophic move for detained immigrants and the nation.

Freshman Congressman Robert Menendez is in favor of the closure, despite the Biden administration's recent pushback against the action.

He joins me now.

Congressman, it is good to have you on the show and get a chance to talk to you about this, because obviously this has been an issue for your district for some time.

You have been very vocal about closing the center permanently.

Tell me specifically why?

>> first, thank you for having me on.

With respect to the dissension center -- detention center this is the last ice Center in New Jersey.

New Jersey has stated their intent to not have these facilities in our state.

The community has made it clear that it no longer has a desire to have this facility operational in Elizabeth.

And it is time that we represent and reflect the desires of the folks in Elizabeth, the district and statewide.

We do not want a privately run detention center in their community.

>> the federal government has now filed a petition of interest, basically backing this lawsuit, the centers lawsuit against the state.

In the attempt to close this.

What is your interpretation of whether or not this is unconstitutional?

Do you disagree with the Department of Justice on that?

>> you get to this clause if you believe detention should be operational.

And the government's decision to have it continue to operate, that is the wrong decision.

We do not need it in New Jersey, we don't need it in the congressional district, and there are other ways to monitor folks going through the immigration system that does not require a detention center.

Before you even get to the constitutionality of it it should be a question of whether this is the right decision for our community, the right decision for this district or if it is not, what we can do to create alternatives to detention that would enable DHS to do it needs to do but have these folks in their community, not a privately run detention center.

That to me is the core issue.

Constitutional challenge, there's a case in California, that will be decided.

For me it is about reflective values of the community and having this detention center continue to be operational in Elizabeth is not consistent with our values.

>> I hear what you're saying because these are arguments that have been made for some time, like allowing asylum-seekers or folks who are having immigration cases play out remain with family or at home while that happens.

What about folks who are criminally charged?

I mean, what is the option there?

DOJ and core civic has said that would pose a threat to the community.

Do you disagree?

>> we over index.

We talk about folks are here undocumented basis, we focus on people that may have engaged in criminal activity, right?

Most people are here with a nexus to their families, the communities that they have helped to be a part of, and the criminal actors to me are the minority of folks.

Spent so much time talking about those actors and what we do with them that we do not focus on the people that have contributed to our communities, family members of people who live in the congressional district.

If you center the conversation there, you would not believe in meeting the detention center.

>> do you share concerns that this has become a profit-making machine by having contracts with ICE?

>> absolutely, absolutely.

If you look at the Biden administration early in the administration they issued an executive order where DOJ could not contract with private facilities, right?

DHS was not part of that Executive Order so to me it signals that there is an understanding that privately run detention centers in any capacity are not good for communities.

If you are trying to make margins and a profit and you have a converted warehouse, you are not investing in that structure, this was a problem during COVID.

People were packed into each other with no motivation.

It is problematic that it is a for-profit enterprise.

>> Congressman Menendez, thank you for sharing your time with us tonight.

In a surprising move see it in the Hall universities present is stepping down.

President Joseph Meyer announced his resignation in a Monday morning message to the school community.

The decision comes one year before his five-year term was set to end.

According to reports from U.S. today -- USA Today New Jersey, his departure stems from battles over the future of Seton Hall Law school.

Late last year and investigation uncovered that longtime employees embezzled more than 900 $75,000 over several years.

Well, that caused a wrist between neyer and the board.

Neyer will complete a year sabbatical before stepping down as president.

One name being floated as a potential successor is the University's Provost and executive vice president Kocher, who served in that role since June, 2020.

If named, they would act as interim president until a replacement is found through a national search.

In our spotlight on business report, another potential strike, this one by hundreds of thousands of UPS workers, some based here in New Jersey.

It appears closer than ever.

With the deadline to negotiate a new contract set to expire at the end of the month, the president of the Teamsters union which represents the workers said this weekend more than 95% of the contract has been settled with delivery company UPS, the remaining sticking points involve part-time workers and wages.

Union is pushing for part-timers to have earlier access to health insurance coverage and pension plans, along with more paths to full-time employment.

UPS has agreed to ending mandatory overtime on days off, improving cooling systems and delivery trucks and bumping up hourly pay.

The impasse comes after two years where the company reported record profits.

If a deal is not reached it would mark the first strike at UPS in 25 years, which supply chain experts predict would rattle the economy.

There are more details tonight about New Jersey transit's decision to choose to Gateway in Newark as its new headquarters.

According to public documents obtained by North Jersey.com, the transit agency rejected a cheaper option at the nearby Panasonic building.

To the tune of more than $110 million less.

The report finds Panasonic location would have been less expensive, more efficient, and secure when compared to 2 Gateway.

The analysis was performed by a brokerage firm hired by New Jersey transit to find its new headquarters.

It showed the least expensive option would have been to stay at the agency's current site at Penn Plaza East in Newark.

Another building is in need of significant repairs -- even though the building is in need of significant repairs that would be disruptive to workers for several years.

The decision is facing criticism as New Jersey transit has a nearly $1 billion budget gap proposed in the next two years and is reportedly considering fare hikes, service cuts and layoffs to make up the shortfall.

That is prompting Republican lawmakers to call for hearings on the lease decision and more transparency in the process.

On Wall Street, markets have been enjoying consecutive days of gains.

There is how stocks closed today.

♪ >> support for the business report provided by the Chamber of Commerce southern New Jersey, working for economic prosperity by uniting business and community leaders for 150 years.

Ever ship and event information online at chamber -- membership and event information online at chamber at smj.com --snj.com .

>> finally tonight, New Jersey's health commissioner, Judy, became known during the pandemic as the woman who needs no introduction.

And soon, she will not need one.

Judy will retire from her position later this summer.

She quickly became the face of New Jersey's response to the COVID-19 virus.

Thrust into the spotlight during Governor Murphy's daily briefings while the state was the epicenter of the pandemic.

Now she is saying goodbye to the post she held for four years and her lifetime of service to the health care industry.

Commissioner Judy joins me now.

Health commissioner Judy, first I just want to ask why now?

You were in the midst of the global health pandemic that you helped lead New Jersey through.

Why step down now that those storm has calmed?

>> well, I think it is time.

The storm has combed and that is good news.

-- the storm has calmed and I will be celebrate my fourth year anniversary on August 4.

As you might know, I've retired a couple of times, I'm apparently not very good at it.

This time I think it will stick.

I'm convinced that the department is in very good shape to go forward, to handle all of the issues that are in front of us and any new issues that would come up.

>> you were tapped to lead University Hospital.

Although you had always said that you were going to retire before that, you also really worked your way up through the health care system.

How do youth think that shaped you to be able to take on this role?

Of course, not knowing what was ahead of you.

>> I have to say every experience that I have had it starting as an intensive care nurse all the way through system leadership prepared me to be here.

There was the ability to manage large groups of people, the ability to move quickly when there were issues, particularly when you are a nurse in intensive care.

The ability to really know the hospital system and kind of predict what could happen and how difficult it could be.

I think just, you know, everything I have learned over the years came into play.

>> you know, it's interesting because certainly the public came to know your during the pandemic.

There were daily briefings where you were right by the governor.

He would introduce you as the woman who needs no introduction but you had a whole lifetime of service in this career prior to that.

Do you expect your legacy to be with the COVID-19 pandemic or what would you like it to be?

>> you know, every job I have ever had, I have left thinking that things are better then when I got to a particular spot and I would hope that no matter what, I have left some type of legacy behind.

But I have to say this, I was not prepared for a pandemic and trying to look at the lessons learned, I think this will be the lasting legacy.

Because the department is much stronger, more resilient, data-driven, organization as a result of the pandemic and everything that we have put in place together makes it more robust and ready to handle just about anything.

>> what stays with you, commissioner, about serving in this capacity during that time?

>> I think the individuals that were I like to say in the foxhole with me, the individuals in the foxhole working 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, putting up medical stations, we had never done that before.

Large-scale testing sites, you may recall that.

We had never done that before.

In gauging over 3000 community-based organizations and churches --in gauging over 3000 committee-based organizations and churches to set up vaccine sites, that it never happened before.

And immunizing, providing vaccines to over 20 million individuals, every little bit of that will stick with me.

We were in a war with an invisible enemy and we have prevailed.

>> is there anyone you are going to recommend as a potential successor?

>> I have lots of people that I will recommend and I've had discussions with the governor and I know he will make the best choice.

>> nothing that you will share with us today I'm guessing?

>> it is definitely his appointment.

>> certainly.

What does a retired health commissioner who led the state through a global pandemic do when they have downtime?

>> first, enjoy the downtime, that is the first thing.

The second thing is I will always kind of keep my hand in health care.

I have been in it since I was probably 17, I started nursing school at 17.

So health care is in my DNA, I will work to make it better, stronger, more equitable in any way that I can and I will help the leadership transition.

>> health commissioner, thank you so much and good luck on your retirement.

>> thank you so much.

>> support for the medical report is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

>> and that is going to do it for us tonight but a reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so that you can listen anytime.

I am Briana Vannozzi, for the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thank you for being with us.

Have a great evening, we will see you here tomorrow.

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>> If you need to see a doctor, RWJBarnabas Health has two easy ways to do it from anywhere.

You can see an urgent care provider 24/7 on any device with our tele-med app, or use our website to book a virtual visit with a medical provider or specialist, even as a new patient.

You have taken every precaution, and so have we, so don't delay your care any longer.

RWJBarnabas health, let's be healthy together.

♪