U.S. Rep. Brady won't intervene in Temple nurses' strike
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
By: Shai Ben-Yaacov
sben-yaacov@whyy.org
Philadelphia Congressman Bob Brady has gained a reputation for breaking logjams between striking workers and management. He helped keep SEPTA and the transit workers' union talking during the two strikes in the past five years.
But Brady, a Democrat, says he won't insert himself into the Temple nurses strike, unless he's asked to help. He says it's often tough to get talks started once workers go out on strike because neither side wants to appear to be giving ground.
"And if that reaches a level, that's where I can be helpful and just give both sides a window or a back door to get out of and save face, and they can say I didn't do it for this, I didn't do it because of you or me – as long as they didn't give in to each other."
The Temple nurses are fighting a proposed increase in health insurance premiums, and a work rule that would prevent them from criticizing the hospital.