On January 9, The Temple North Anesthesia Coalition (T-NAC) ratified its first contract following voting unanimously in favor of it. This group is made up of 35 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who work at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Jeanes Hospital.
Her coalition is part of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP). PASNAP represents 2,645 nurses and allied professionals, including T-NAC members, at Jeanes Hospital and Temple Main, as well as more than 9,000 nurses and allied professionals throughout Pennsylvania.
The new CRNA contract includes:
- Current scheduling practices are enshrined in the contract and protected.
- One week of fully paid parental leave.
- A salary scale that includes increases in bonuses, salaries, and allowances.
This contract will expire in October 2026.
“Almost three years into the worst pandemic of our lives, the system that is supposed to support healthcare professionals, and therefore patients, is in crisis. Hospital staff have been declining here and across the country due to burnout and shortsighted, unprofitable decisions,” said Maureen May, RN and president of PASNAP.
“This contract, with its emphasis on measures to improve retention, recognizes the dedication and tremendous value these caregivers bring to their roles and to their patient communities. We are delighted,” he added.
Unionization was a fundamental measure to carry out these efforts.
Bernadette Golarz, DNP, CRNA, explained, “We formed a union to have a seat at the table and try to improve working conditions at Temple North and increase CRNA retention. It’s been a long road, and we did the hard part, standing up for ourselves. ourselves and our profession, but it was the right thing to do, and not just for us, but for our patients as well.
He added, “This contract – our first! – is a milestone that represents the collective effort of each and every member of our team. We are confident that it will ensure that Temple North CRNAs can continue to provide the highest quality care.” , the care we want to provide and the care our patients deserve.”
