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Sending Support for Striking Temple Workers

Filmmaker and documentarian Michael Moore
sent words of support for the 1,500 striking workers of the Pennsylvania
Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professions now on strike at Temple
University Hospital in Philadelphia. The PASNAP members have been on strike
since March 31, and Moore's statement was read at a rally held this
afternoon near the picket line at Broad and Ontario in front of the hospital.

"I
am proud to support the striking nurses and staff at Temple University
Hospital. It is an embarrassment that an otherwise fine institution of higher
learning would treat its own nurses and other health professionals with such
contempt.

"Exactly
what lesson is Temple teaching to its students when they attack the nurses at
their own hospital? That we should beat up on the very people who have
dedicated their lives to helping us when we get sick? President Hart, like the
rest of us, you, too, will someday probably have to stay in a hospital. When
you look up at that person taking care of you, will you hope that that nurse
has been well-treated, well-paid, well-trained? Or will you say to yourself,
'I sure hope that nurse who's placing that IV in me isn't paid more than
minimum wage! I sure hope she's struggling to pay for her own health care! And
I sure hope this hospital is making life as miserable as they can for this
nurse!'

"I
don't think you'll be saying that, President Hart. I think you'll want the very
best care from a staff who've been treated like human beings. I think that's
what you'll want. So why not give that to the patients inside Temple University
Hospital right now?

"Stop
trying to bust this nurses' and health professionals' union! Teach
your students how to behave toward those who work hard for a living. End this
nonsense now before the entire country turns its focus on you and your
behavior. You don't want that, do you? Seriously do I have to come to Philly?
Donovan McNabb leaves, but Michael Moore shows up? No one wants that! Do the
right thing. Negotiate in good faith and give the nurses and staff the contract
they deserve."

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