Nearly 1,000 employees at Bayonne University Hospital received layoff notices through the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, according to filings with the New Jersey Department of Labor.
The notices apply to 967 employees and list June 29 as the potential effective date.
Employees received email notifications from the Department of Labor stating that the hospital could implement layoffs because of corporate restructuring. The message stated in part:
“Bayonne University Hospital will be implementing a layoff as the result of a corporate restructuring…effective June 29th.”
Bayonne University Hospital operates as a 205-bed acute-care hospital in Hudson County and is located at 29 East 29th St. in Bayonne. The facility was previously called Bayonne Medical Center before it was rebranded as Bayonne University Hospital in September.
- 967 employees at Bayonne University Hospital received WARN notices with a potential layoff date of June 29.
- Hudson Regional Health says the notices are required during a transfer of ownership, licensing, and operations and layoffs are not expected.
- Union leaders and state officials are monitoring the situation after the recent closure of Heights University Hospital in Jersey City.
Hudson Regional Health Says WARN Filing Is Part Of Ownership Transfer
The hospital’s owner, Hudson Regional Health (HRH), said the WARN filing was required during an administrative transition as the organization moves employees to new ownership.
Hudson Regional Health is based in Secaucus and operates Meadowlands Hospital. The organization also assumed control of Bayonne University Hospital, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and Hoboken University Medical Center after their former owner filed for bankruptcy.
HRH spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri said the notice does not mean layoffs will occur.
“HRH has reassured staff this ongoing process currently involves a transfer of ownership, license, and operating business, which triggered a legal requirement of a WARN notice as Bayonne’s employees will be transitioned to HRH’s new ownership.”
He also said the company expects staff to remain employed after the transition.
“HRH does not anticipate any layoffs in June.”
Hudson Regional Health reported that tens of millions of dollars have been invested into Bayonne University Hospital during the past 15 months to improve care and services.
CarePoint Health Bankruptcy Led To Hospital Ownership Changes
The hospitals previously belonged to CarePoint Health, a nonprofit health system in Hudson County that struggled financially.
CarePoint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024 after accumulating $300 million in debt, placing three hospitals at risk and threatening half of Hudson County’s six hospitals.
A federal bankruptcy court approved a restructuring plan in April 2025, transferring Bayonne University Hospital, Christ Hospital, and Hoboken University Medical Center to Hudson Regional Health.
Heights University Hospital Closed After Financial Losses
One of those facilities, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, was renamed Heights University Hospital after the takeover.
Hudson Regional Health reported ongoing financial losses at the hospital following its takeover. The organization said it had invested $300 million into operations, with a large portion directed to the Heights facility.
The hospital also reported $104 million in losses since Hudson Regional Health took control.
Financial pressures included cuts to Medicaid, reductions in charity care, a growing number of uninsured patients, and limited state funding.
The New Jersey Department of Health assisted in October 2025, advancing nearly $2 million in charity care funding and providing another $2 million grant to help the hospital meet payroll.
Despite that support, Heights University Hospital closed in November 2025.
Hudson Regional Health continued operating a standalone emergency department at the site. In February, the organization announced that the emergency department would also close. The closure occurred on March 14.
Protest And Government Action Followed The Closure
The emergency department’s shutdown led to public demonstrations.
A protest held at the hospital on March 14 resulted in two arrests. Municipal court records show the individuals were charged with criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and obstruction, which are petty disorderly offenses.
After the closure, the Jersey City Council voted unanimously to explore using eminent domain to obtain the hospital property.
The land is owned by Avery Eisenreich, owner of Alaris Health.
The New Jersey Department of Health scheduled a public hearing on April 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heights University Hospital, 176 Palisade Ave. Residents were invited to provide feedback regarding the hospital closure and the Certificate of Need application.
Union Representatives Respond To Layoff Notices
Healthcare workers at Bayonne University Hospital are represented by the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union.
Union spokesman Michael Allen said employees had already received the WARN notices.
The union stated the notices sent to the hospital’s workforce.
“Once again Hudson Regional Health has sown confusion in the Bayonne community and among healthcare workers at Bayonne Medical Center by issuing over 900 layoff notices to every staff member.”
HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said the union will review any layoffs connected to restructuring.
“Despite HRH’s claims that they filed a WARN notice merely as a precautionary step during corporate restructuring, HPAE is taking this threat very seriously.”
White also said any changes to hospital services or licensing would require review by the New Jersey Department of Health, which regulates those decisions.
State Lawmakers Monitor Bayonne Hospital Operations
State officials representing Bayonne said they are monitoring the hospital transition.
State Sen. Angela McKnight said she is following developments involving Bayonne University Hospital’s ownership transfer.
“I am continuously monitoring the transition of Bayonne University Hospital’s ownership to Hudson Regional Health.”
Assemblymember Jerry Walker said he is reviewing possible legislative and regulatory actions to protect hospital services and employment.
Hospital Announces Leadership Appointment And Renovation Event
During the transition period, Bayonne University Hospital announced Dr. Vijayant Singh as the new chief hospital executive.
Hospital officials also scheduled an April 22 event to present renovations to the hospital’s upgraded lobby.
The hospital continues operating as a 205-bed acute-care facility serving Hudson County while the WARN notice process and ownership transition continue.
