Hundreds of workers at Chicago-based Sinai Health System plan to strike Nov. 11 unless they reach an agreement with hospital management, according to the union that represents them.
Service Employees International Union Healthcare said Nov. 4 that a strike would affect 400 certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, transportation workers and others at Mount Sinai and Schwab Rehabilitation hospitals. Both hospitals are part of Sinai Health System.
The union said the workers seek "a fair contract that provides fair and livable wages, improves staffing levels and other working conditions and addresses current unfair labor practices."
The workers have said they seek to ensure that they can provide quality care to the people they serve on the city's South and West sides.
Sinai workers have been in negotiations with hospital management for more than four months. In October, workers voted to empower their bargaining team to call a strike. The union said workers chose to call a strike last week after there was not enough progress in negotiations.
Sinai Health System expressed disappointment about the decision and cited positive steps at the bargaining table.
"We believe there has been steady progression toward signed agreements between the hospitals and the union. We have additional bargaining sessions scheduled and remain confident we will reach resolution on a final contract in the near future," Sinai Health spokesperson Dan Regan said.
Mr. Regan said the health system will implement strong contingency plans to maintain operations if there is a strike.
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