Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care will have to acknowledge and commence contract negotiations with the Illinois Nurses Association — at least for now, according to a Crain's Chicago Business report.
The order came from U.S. District Court Judge John Lee Friday. Last year, Advocate entered an agreement to operate 56 in-store Walgreens healthcare clinics across the greater Chicago area. INA subsequently filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Review Board on behalf of nurse practitioners it represents at the clinics in Walgreens. The complaint accused Advocate of "interfering with the rights of employees ... to labor organization and ... refusing to engage in collective bargaining with these employees," the judge's order states. According to Crain's Chicago Business, the union added additional charges last September, and the case was sent to federal court five months ago.
Mr. Lee ordered Advocate and INA Friday "to submit a proposed injunction order to the court by Aug. 18." At that point, Advocate legally must "recognize and negotiate terms with INA, at least until a decision on the original complaint is reached," reports Crain's Chicago Business.
Alice Johnson, executive director of INA, told Becker's Hospital Review via phone the union was "very happy" with the judge's decision and "look[s] forward to getting to the bargaining table and negotiating a fair contract."
In an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Advocate revealed plans to appeal the judge's decision "as we are confident that legal precedent supports our position."
"We respect our associates' rights to consider union membership. At the same time, we greatly value our direct relationship with associates, which is key to providing the optimal environment to deliver the best outcomes for patients," the health system added.