Chicago nurses plan one-day unfair labor practice strike over retaliation claims

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago gave notice on June 1 that they plan to hold a one-day strike on June 11, saying the action is in response to retaliation against nurses who raise concerns about unsafe conditions and support union organizing. The announcement was made by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United.

According to the nurses, the strike will protest what they describe as an administration pattern of targeting nurses who advocate for patients and coworkers. They say Prime management has taken disciplinary action against experienced nurses during the organizing effort, and they view that conduct as retaliation for protected union activity.

The nurses are seeking to unionize with National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United. In the statement, they said they are upset that management has gone after nurses who speak out about patient care and workplace concerns. They said the notice follows strong support from nurses who indicated they were prepared to strike.

Maria Russ, RN, who works in behavioral health, said in a statement that singling out pro-union nurses shows that Prime is using discipline to retaliate and silence workers. Russ said the strike is being called because experienced nurses who speak up for patients have been targeted and pushed out of the hospital.

Brenda Hernandez, RN in the ICU, said patient care is the main concern and is at the center of the nurses’ fight. Hernandez said the strike is happening because the termination of experienced nurses has left the hospital short staffed. She said nurses need a seat at the table so they can advocate for patients.

The nurses said the strike will begin Thursday, June 11 at 6:45 a.m. and end Friday, June 12 at 6:45 a.m. A rally is planned for 8:30 a.m. The hospital is located at 2233 W Division St in Chicago, at the corner of W Division St and N Oakley Blvd.

The nurses also said they filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board on May 20 and held a public rally on May 27 to protest what they called Prime management’s retaliatory union busting.

National Nurses United said it is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States, with more than 225,000 members nationwide. Its affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.