The union representing registered and licensed practical nurses at Chicago-based UI Health is proceeding with its strike after a Cook County judge granted the health system's request to prevent certain critical care nurses, represented by the Illinois Nurses Association, from participating, according to health system and union statements shared with Becker's.
On Aug. 16, the judge granted the request from UI Health, which cited "a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the public" if these 91 nurses per shift were allowed to strike. The INA has indicated that other nurses who are permitted to strike will do so.
Members of the Illinois Nurses Association are planning a seven-day strike for registered nurses, with licensed practical nurses joining them for five of the days. The strike began the morning of Aug. 19.
There are around 1,700 registered nurses at UI Health; 1,377 voted to authorize a strike earlier this month. The licensed practical nurses in the union and UI Health have been in negotiations for more than a year; the registered nurses in the union have been negotiating for a few months.
A UI Health statement said the health system "has been engaged in extensive bargaining with INA to avoid a strike and is prepared to continue bargaining for as long as it takes to reach a successful agreement. Both parties have met more than 17 times since June 18, and additional sessions are proposed but not yet scheduled."
The union contends that since their last contract negotiation, nurses have experienced understaffing, workplace violence and the effect of severe inflation. "Management has outright rejected many of their proposals with no counters. One of the few proposals by UI Health leadership would expand the variety of assignments nurses would be expected to take on, preventing the kind of specialization that ensures quality care. Annual raises offered would not keep up with projected inflation," a union statement said.
"We value and respect the critical role our nurses and other healthcare professionals play in fulfilling the system's mission to provide vital care for our community," UI Health's statement said.