http://labornotes.org/2010/05/philadelphia-hospital-workers-victorious-strike Marty Harrison | May 21, 2010
After a hard-fought, month-long strike at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, the nurses and technical/professional staff can proudly say, “We won!”
Members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) ratified a tentative agreement 1,045 to 30 on April 28.
Union members’ determined solidarity and their support from the community, the broader labor movement, and political leaders beat back concessions demanded by the hospital on union rights, wages, and working conditions (see Refusing to Sign Gag Rule, Hospital Workers Walk Out in Philadelphia).
Temple failed to impose its non-disparagement or “gag” clause, an idea incompatible with the legal obligation of health care workers to serve as advocates for their patients. The clause would have prevented union members and leaders from speaking publicly about patient safety issues rising from short-staffing.
The campaign forced Temple to submit to the law and agree to pay members back tuition owed them for the last two semesters, as ordered by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board but repeatedly disavowed by Temple. Dependent tuition benefits were preserved in the new contract, though for half-time, not full-time, credit and only at Temple University.
CONCESSIONS DEFEATED
Most important, the strike derailed the hospital’s considerable efforts to bust the union. Members have been tempered in the fire of battle and are feeling a new unity and strength, having learned firsthand the power of collective action and solidarity. Ninety-four percent of the membership honored the picket lines for 28 days.
FULL story at link.
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