Temple University Hospital

Recently, the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board ruled that illegal unilateral changes made to employee working conditions by Temple prior to the strike on March 31 rendered such work stoppage a lockout. This decision effectively makes the nurses and allied professionals that went on a 28-day strike  in May, eligible for unemployment compensation costs, which come to around $550 per week per worker. “We are thrilled that our legal position has been vindicated by this decision,” said Bill Cruice, PASNAP’s Executive Director and attorney. “It is not surprising that the Unemployment Compensation Board has declared that the 4-week strike was actually a lockout by Temple; it is consistent with our message that Temple executives were reckless and irresponsible in their approach to our negotiations from day one.” The union estimates that Temple spent approximately $15 million during the strike on replacement workers’ wages, luxury hotel rooms, and airfare on temporary replacement employees from 42 states across the country, and will now owe an additional $1.5 million in unemployment compensation to PASNAP members.

Over the weekend, a hospital patient came to the picket line pleading not to be sent back inside of the hospital due to reportedly bad nursing care.  In response to these troubling incidences, the union for nurses and healthcare professionals at Temple has filed a report with the Department of Health on Monday, April 19, 2010.

Nurses and other healthcare professionals share stories that expose the impact on patients when Temple Hospital maximizes profits by cutting medical supplies, understaffing and decreasing patients' length of stay at the hospital. PASNAP (Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals) are striking over a contract that would institute a 'gag clause,' effectively barring these health professionals from advocating for patient safety.

Community members from across Philadelphia are coming out in support of the striking nurses and allied professionals at Temple Hospital. Support for the nurses continues to grow as Temple University Hospital System (TUHS) continuously violates the public trust and puts their profit before everyday Philadelphians and the future of our city.

The nurses and technical professionals that work at Temple Hospital started their strike Wednesday with a rally that brought out 1,200 people to show their support. Listen to a report from Labor Justice Radio on the first day of the strike.

The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) is winning an ongoing battle against Temple University Hospital. PASNAP wants reimbursement for tuition benefits that Temple abruptly stopped providing last March despite the fact that the benefits are part of their current contract. Jerry Silberman, staff representative, spoke with me about this legal fight and also discussed PASNAP's negotiations for a new contract.