Temple nurses set to strike

And so it begins.

About 1,500 Temple University Hospital nurses and health-care workers were expected to go on strike by 7 this morning, after months of volatile contract negotiations with hospital officials that seemingly went nowhere.

A mass rally was scheduled for outside the hospital, at Broad Street and Allegheny Avenue, about noon, said Jerry Silberman, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), which represents many Temple employees.

Silberman said union members were prepared to spend weeks picketing from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

"We didn't want this strike," he added, "but if they want to force it upon us, we're up for it."

Temple spokeswoman Rebecca Harmon said the hospital would remain open during the strike and would be staffed by 400 physicians and more than 800 "fully qualified" temporary workers.

Silberman said PASNAP last met with Temple brass on March 15 to discuss a contract offer that was similar to one that was offered in late September, when the nurses' contract expired and contains unacceptable wage freezes and healthcare cost increases.

Two other proposals from Temple also rankled members: a plan to phase out a tuition benefit for children of employees, and a clause that would prevent employees from speaking ill of the hospital.

Temple officials say its nurses have an excellent wage and benefits package.