By Brianna Smith
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A possible strike at Temple Health has been pushed back by one week as talks between both sides continue.
Action News has learned that Temple has agreed to no longer seek the deep proposed cuts to benefits in exchange for more time to negotiate.
The two unions, part of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), presented the initial strike notice on Wednesday.
Carlos Aviles, who is the president of Temple University Allied Health Professionals, said they’re demanding better benefits, more staffing for the increased workload and improved safety measures due to workplace violence from the community.
“It’s hard enough to come in here and save lives, and do what we have to do on the frontline,” said Aviles. “It’s another thing to have to have your personal life in danger just walking to and from the hospital.”
More than 2,500 nurses and technicians will now go on strike on October 13 if no deal is reached by then.
“Whether PASNAP strikes or not, we have contingency plans in place to continue to provide our patients and community with uninterrupted, safe, high-quality care,” said Temple in a statement earlier this week.
Aviles said union members are not backing down until members get what they deserve.
“There used to be a sign out front of Temple that called us heroes, and it’s hypocrisy because none of us feel like heroes. We feel disrespected, and we feel like we’re forgotten yet again,” said Aviles.
Both sides hope to reach an agreement to avoid a strike.
