Jefferson University SPs Rally For Fair Contract
Thomas Jefferson University Standardized Patients, unionized with Local 32, rallied today in Washington Square Park in Philadelphia today to demand better wages and working conditions as well as to demand that management cease their attempts to exclude dozens of SPs from their union. SPs Melissa Amilani, Charlotte Northeast, Andy Molholt and Kimya Imani Jackson gave impassioned speeches about the importance of their work and demanded that Jefferson management bargain in good faith. They were joined by State Senator Nikil Saval and State Representatives Rick Krajewski and Ben Waxman who stood in solidarity with the SPs. They were also joined by community supporters and other labor organizations and unions including the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and Actors Equity.
Following the rally, the SPs marched to Lubert Plaza in front of their workplace, the Dorrance H. Hamilton building on Jefferson’s campus. In an attempt to stop the SPs from having their voices heard, Jefferson had erected a large orange fence surrounding the plaza and stationed security officers outside to stop the march from taking place. Instead, the workers made their voices heard from the sidewalks surrounding the building. Overall, it was a peaceful but fiery show of strength and support from the SPs and community leaders.
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