PASNAP

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.

Nurses and techs from Temple University Hospital joined fellow members of the National Nurses United Union in Washington DC last week to rally and advocate for nurse to patient ratios.

PASNAP, the nurse's local here in Philadelphia, won a contract fight against Temple University Health Systems after a month long strike in April. 

The nurses and technical professionals of Temple University Hospital just scored an important victory for themselves, for the labor movement, and for quality healthcare for everyone.

After nearly a month on strike, the 1,500 members of PASNAP scored major contract concessions on what Temple University Health Services had billed as their "last, best and final offer".

Video by Gustavo Martinez

The Temple nurses strike has now entered it's fourth week and on Wednesday community leaders from the NAACP, Temple Student Labor Action Project and Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers, among others, came out to support the striking nurses. Temple Watch reports that formal negotiations are to begin between the union and hospital on Saturday April 24, and on the same day there are plans for a massive rally at the Constitution Center at 4:30PM. 

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.

On April 8th, the Philadelphia Student Union, along with the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance and Media Mobilizing Project, went to the front lines of the Temple nurses strike to show support and stand with picketing PASNAP members. Justin Carter, a member of PSU and a senior at West Philadelphia HS, spoke to the crowd about the connections between students' struggles & nurses' struggles. He called attention to the problems with the 'gag clause' that Temple is trying to put on nurses, saying, "Just like students have the right to speak out about the conditions in our schools, nurses have the right to speak out about the working conditions in their hospitals."

On Thursday, members of Act-Up Philly, Geo-Clan, Public School Notebook, Workers United, The Taxi Workers Alliance, Philadelphia Student Union, Media Mobilizing Project and many others, joined the striking nurses on the picket line at Temple Hospital.  The event came eight days after th

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.

WE, the Temple workers are standing strong in our efforts to show temple that we are to be respected and valued for what we do everyday. It is a tough battle but still one definately worth fighting.

Editors Note: Carolyn is a GI technician at Temple Hospital. She participated in a media training class MMP put on with the United Way last fall. She is a member and leader of the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP) currently on the picket line.