Nurses protest medical school event
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
By: Kerry Grens
kgrens@whyy.org
Temple University is unveiling its new $165 million medical school building tomorrow. But not everyone at the ribbon cutting will be there to celebrate.
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The Temple nurses union expects hundreds of its members to protest during the opening of the new research facility. It's been a month since the nurses' contract with the hospital expired, and they are frustrated with the slow pace of negotiations and lack of progress.
Jerry Silberman is the staff coordinator for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
Silberman: It's our intention to let them know that until they deal fairly, honestly and legally with us at the bargaining table we're not going to allow them to have public celebrations without having to look at us.
Temple did not respond to a request for comment. Silberman says there have been no negotiations in two weeks, and none are planned. The nurses and other staff are operating under their old contract indefinitely.
