Good afternoon everyone,

For those who had off yesterday, I hope you enjoyed their extra day off, and welcome to another edition of the Keystone Labor Report.

We’re going to keep this part short and simple today since I am getting back into the swing of things after enjoying a couple of days in Philadelphia. More on that later on.

Sean Kitchen,

Political Correspondent, The Keystone

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

Over 2,600 Temple University Hospital nurses, lab technicians, and health care professionals secured key victories in their contract fight with the hospital system.

The Temple University Hospital Nurses Association (TUHNA) and the Temple University Hospital Allied Health Professionals (TUHAHP) voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract on Friday and averted what would have been the first strike at the hospital since 2010, when the nurses and lab technicians walked off the job for 28 days.

After weeks of negotiations, the nurses and hospital workers were able to beat back cuts to their health care benefits, while securing a 3.25% raise over the first two years of the contract and a 3% raise in its final year.

The hospital has also agreed to safer nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and to address issues of workplace violence by installing metal detectors at Temple Women and Families Hospital within 120 days, and ensuring all hospital entrances, units, and parking areas are monitored.

“These contracts are wins for every nurse, tech, and healthcare professional at Temple — and for every patient who comes through our doors,” Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) President Maureen May said in a statement.

“The central issues in our bargaining campaign weren’t just about us — they’re about the safety and dignity of our patients. Today, Temple leadership heard us loud and clear.”

READ: Temple nurses secure raises

and workplace protections in new contract

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

Have you been receiving any deceptive mailers about the upcoming Pennsylvania Supreme Court race? If so, odds are they’re being funded by Pennsylvania’s richest billionaire, Jeffrey Yass.

The League of Women Voters is calling on Yass to rescind and apologize for mailers sent by the Commonwealth Leaders Fund, a political action committee (PAC) funded by Yass, that calls on voters to term limit the Supreme Court.

The mailer mentions a 2011 congressional map passed by Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled legislature that was later tossed out by the state Supreme court in 2018 for being an unfair Republican gerrymander. However, the mailer blames the Democratic-controlled court for the 2011 Republican gerrymander.

The League of Women Voters sued to overturn the 2011 gerrymander and that’s why the organization is demanding an apology and for the mailers to be pulled.

“We litigated it, and the result was a court ruling that resulted in a map that was more fair, cleaner, more appropriate, more constitutional,” League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania President Susan Gobreski told reporters on Thursday.

“Everyone has the right to an opinion, but no one has the right to lie to voters and call it democracy. They should really pull these mailers and apologize to voters.”

Over 43,000 federal workers in Pennsylvania have been furloughed due to the ongoing government, according to Fox 56.
National Democrats launched an accountability ad campaign in Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley focused on the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits.
WPSU lives to see another day after Penn State University and WHYY agreed on a transfer that keeps Centre County’s NPR affiliate operating. WHYY will have to raise $8.36 million to finance the takeover.
Cody Balmer pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempted murder, terrorism, arson, and other charges after he set the ballroom in the Governor’s residence on fire in April.

Attention Philadelphia area readers: Do you want to grab a pint with some of your favorite reporters from The Keystone? Well, now’s your chance.

We’re hosting an event in Philly on Thursday, Oct. 23 called Pints & Precedents: A Keystone Happy Hour at Philadelphia Brewing Company. It’s a chance for you to connect with advocacy organizations, local policymakers, and fellow community members to talk about key issues facing Pennsylvania ahead of the upcoming state Supreme Court election on Nov. 4.

This event is FREE and open to the public. RSVP here!

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

I spent my long weekend getting rest and relaxation, which is needed in times like these.

I also hung out in Rittenhouse Square and Center City Philadelphia with my girlfriend. We did some sightseeing and went to some fun restaurants.

First, we went to Vetri Pizzeria for some great pizza, and followed that up with breakfast at Honey’s Sit n Eat in Northern Liberties. Lastly, on our way home, we stopped at the Reading Terminal Market and Isgro’s in South Philadelphia for some treats.