Nurses, technical staff, and other employees at Temple University Hospital have successfully ratified a three-year labor contract, effectively stopping a potential strike that was scheduled to commence on Monday.
This agreement concludes a challenging series of negotiations between the Temple University Hospital Nurses Association and Temple Allied Professionals, which together represent over 2,600 employees, and hospital management.
In the lead-up to this resolution, TUHNA and TAP organized an information picket, set multiple strike deadlines, and raised concerns about the health system’s recent significant investments in expansion.
“These contracts are wins for every nurse, tech, and healthcare professional at Temple – and for every patient who comes through our doors,” stated Maureen May, a Temple nurse and president of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, affiliated with both local unions.
Marty Harrison, President of TUHNA, emphasized the critical role these professionals play: “We are the ones who every day, a thousand times a day, give these patients what they need. The public and our elected officials were behind us because they know that’s what we do, and they trust us to hold our ground and to make sure we have the staff, the equipment, and the supplies to take good care of every human life, no matter what zip code they were born in.”
Had the unions proceeded with their planned five-day strike, Temple Health anticipated it would incur costs amounting to $5 million to maintain operations at its medical centers. Such a work stoppage would have primarily affected the main hospital located in North Philadelphia, as well as the newly established Women & Families Hospital in Northwood.
A Temple Health spokesperson commented, “This agreement reflects a mutual commitment to a constructive negotiations process and to achieving terms that are fair and equitable for all parties. It further recognizes the extraordinary efforts of our employees and supports Temple Health’s mission to provide safe, high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve.”
A vote for contract ratification took place on Friday, revealing that 87% of TUHNA members and 90% of TAP participants chose to approve the deal, according to PASNAP.
Under the new agreement, nurses, techs, and other staff will receive a pay increase of 9.5%, with further potential increases through step raises, as indicated by union representatives.
Additionally, the contract includes bonuses of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time staff, as stated by PASNAP.
Enhancement of workplace safety was a paramount concern for TUHNA and TAP, and the union leadership confirmed that the new contract mandates provisions to hold Temple Health accountable.
According to PASNAP, within 120 days, weapons detectors will be installed at the Women & Families Hospital, and at least two trained security personnel are required to be on site at all times.
Union officials also highlighted Temple Health’s commitment to improving staffing levels at the Women & Families Hospital.
Signs of progress for reaching a deal became evident on September 26, when TUHNA and TAP postponed their planned strike date of October 6, following hospital administrators’ decision to retract proposed cuts to healthcare benefits.
Federal labor laws stipulate that unions representing medical facility employees must provide ten days notice before a strike, leading TUHNA and TAP to refile the necessary paperwork for a work stoppage set to begin on October 13.
Both unions’ collective bargaining agreements had expired on September 30.
image source from：metrophiladelphia
