Workers at three nursing homes in Hudson County are threatening to strike next week after months of what they call "fruitless negotiations" on a new contract with the parent company, Alaris.

Caregivers at Alaris Health at Harborview in Jersey City and Alaris Health at Castle Hill in Union City are set to strike from Sept. 16 to 18, while workers at Alaris Health at Boulevard East in Guttenberg are threatening a three-day work stoppage from Sept. 17 to 19.

Nursing home workers at an Alaris Health location in Rochelle Park are also planning to strike from Sept. 17 to 19.

The 450 workers at the four facilities are members of 1199SEIU and are employed as certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, dietary aides, recreation aides, and housekeepers.

The union alleges that Alaris has committed unfair labor practices and refused to move off unreasonable proposals that call for significant concessions from low wage workers, including higher health premiums and a reduction in paid sick leave and other benefits for new hires.

The current contracts expired over five months ago, according to the union..

"Alaris has a legal and moral obligation to bargain fairly with its employees," said Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199SEIU. "It is incredibly irresponsible of the company to repeatedly disregard workers' rights and force caregivers into a position where striking is the last option they have. We do not want to strike, but we will not allow Alaris to undermine standards in nursing homes."

In June and July, caregivers held rallies and community outreach events addressing similar concerns in Jersey City, Union City, Guttenberg, and Rochelle Park.

In May, a Hudson County jury awarded $13.2 million to the family of a Jersey City woman who sued Alaris Health at Harborview for negligence after a woman died following her stay there four years ago.

When a call was placed to one of the facilities where workers are threatening to strike -- Alaris Health at Castle Hill in Union City -- a receptionist told The Jersey Journal that administration would not be making any comments at this time.

Meanwhile, Rob Smolin, the administrator of the Guttenberg facility, had no comment on the strike when reached by phone today.