Temple Hospital nurses could go on strike after stalled negotiations

Registered nurses and allied professionals at Temple University Hospital could be going on strike after negotiations with management for a new contract stalled.

Temple Hospital employees have met with Temple Health several times in recent weeks, and have one more meeting planned for Friday, which will likely be the final day for bargaining and decide if a strike takes place.

Jeanes Nurses United delivered a strike petition to Temple Health on Feb. 14, which more than 96% of its members signed, asking for better wages and a “fair contract.”

"The nurses are still negotiating with the hospital," wrote the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals in a statement to NBC10 Monday. "It is never our intention or our goal to leave our patients and to strike, we will do it if we feel it's necessary in order to get the protections our patients need and to get what we need to provide our patients with exceptional care."

Temple nurses nearly went on strike in November 2022, but it was avoided after more than 2,500 hospital employees reached a new contract agreement amid multiple striking threats.

Nearly a year later, Temple nurses filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court, claiming they were discouraged from documenting overtime hours.

A potential nurse’s strike comes less than a year after the Temple University Graduate Students’ Association went on a six-week long strike that drew national attention, including social media support from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Temple eventually met TUGSA’s demands, and ratified a new deal after TUGSA’s 344-8 vote on March 13, 2023.

The Temple Association of University Professionals have also threatened to strike in recent weeks, posting signs around Temple’s campus stating they will fight for “equity, dignity and job security.”

Temple Health did not provide a comment on the potential nurse’s strike or contract negotiations.