More than 500 employees across three groups at Philadelphia-based Temple Health have ratified their first union contracts.
Six things to know:
1. Employees at Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital and Temple University Hospital-Jeanes Campus, both in Philadelphia, had been negotiating for improved retention and recruitment efforts, according to a July 1 news release from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals shared with Becker’s.
2. The three contracts, all of which are three-year deals, each include a new wage scale with experience-based steps and guaranteed annual increases throughout.
3. The contracts also include a ratification bonus, one week of paid parental leave, one week of paid leave for victims of workplace violence, and the formation of joint practice and health and safety committees, according to the union release.
4. Nurses at Chestnut Hill concluded their ratification vote June 27, with 96% of the 265 nurses in favor. Additionally, 77 technicians at Chestnut Hill voted the same day, with 98% approval.
5. Technicians and professionals at Jeanes Campus voted to ratify their contract June 20. The group includes 190 employees.
6. A Temple Health spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“We of course ratified the latest contract with our nurses and allied professionals at Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital — just as we’ve done with multiple agreements this year, including for our techs and allied professionals at Temple University Hospital-Jeanes Campus. This is the standard course of business and part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining strong working relationships. We appreciate everyone involved and remain focused on delivering high-quality care every day.”
