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• Benefit for Striking Nurses

After listening to solidarity speakers, including several union officials who presented donation checks to the nurses union PASNAP (Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals), the union-friendly crowd marched twice around the building despite a light but steady rain that fell during the event.

Toward the end of the rally, strikers gathered across from a hospital entrance as at least eight coach buses, paid for by Temple Hospital, stopped to unload and pick-up scab strike breakers for a shift change. For around 30 minutes, as police officials stood between the two adversaries, hundreds gathered across the street to chant “Scabs go home” and “Shame on You” as the strikebreakers entered and left the hospital.

The rally may have been the largest outpouring of support for the strike to date. Representatives from several unions including AFSCME DC 33 and DC 47, SEIU, Teamsters, AFT, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, PA Federation of Teachers, Steamfitters Local 420, USW, Boilermakers, CWA, IBEW, Brotherhood of Railroad Maintenance Workers, TWU, Operating Engineers, UFCW, National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, Firefighters Union, Jobs with Justice, IWW, Philaposh, NAACP, Temple students and other union and community groups were present. Members of PASNAP from two other area hospitals were also on hand.

A number of workers had children with them who actively participated in the march, even chanting against the arriving busloads of strike breakers.

The strikers, who have been out since March 31, are not receiving any income from their union during the work stoppage. PASNAP is requesting that supporters donate the following items to the strikers and their families: non-perishable food, fruits and vegetables, diapers (all sizes, especially 5 and 6), wipes, kid snakes, juice boxes, bath soap, dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo and conditioner, toilet paper, and paper towels.

A HAPPY HOUR & DANCE PARTY benefit, with DJ Phantasma Rojo, is taking place April 29, sponsored by the Philadelphia International Action Center, Jobs With Justice, A-Space, Bailout the People Movement, and Health Care NOW. Admission is one or more of the above requested items. For more information, contact 215-724-1618 or email phillyactivist@peoplesmail.net.

Donations can also be dropped off at the A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave for those unable to attend. Cash contributions to support the striking nurses' union can be made on-line at www.templewatch.org or by check payable to PASNAP/Temple Solidarity Fund.