About 1,500 nurses at University of Illinois Health went on an indefinite strike Wednesday morning hoping to reach an agreement for higher wages and improved safety measures.
The Illinois Nurses Association said despite numerous attempts at a compromise, they have not been able reach an agreement with the health group. The nurses have continued to work since their contract expired Aug. 18.
In August, nurses went on a seven-day strike but were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement for a new contract. Now they say they will not return to work until a new contract is signed.
LeAndra Jones, a surgical nurse, said she hoped it wouldn’t come to this but was willing to do what it takes to ensure they receive a fair contract.
“What we are paid can’t keep up with the costs of living,” Jones said. “We work long hours, we’re on our feet all day, we are dealing with violence from patients, and we aren’t being compensated for it.”
Among the group’s demands are higher wages to meet rising costs of living; lower staff-to-patient ratios; an increase in paid parental leave from the current six weeks; and an improved safety plan for nurses and patients. They also want to keep specialists working in their areas of expertise rather than across hospital departments and to secure language to protect their contract if any clinics or the hospital itself is sold.
“UI Health has made numerous investments in safety technologies and programs to protect staff and patients,” the health group said in statement. The health group said the current safety measures have led to a decrease in incidents of violence against staff.
But nurses said it’s not enough. The union is asking for more security guards in the emergency department and throughout the hospital.
“Our frontline nurses are facing violence directly. They face assault from patients and their family,” said Roberto Flores, a surgical nurse and union grievance co-chair. “I’m hoping we can help craft how the hospital will handle these situations and help prevent it.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, over a dozen proposals still needed to be settled, Flores said.
“We are disappointed that despite progress in negotiations, we have not reached an agreement. UI Health will continue to bargain in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable and fair agreement,” UI Health said in its statement.
The hospital secured a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent the nurses from specific care units from walking out. The order, signed by Cook County Circuit Judge Alison Conlon, prohibits 68 nurses, at a time, from joining the strike.
The order was signed “to balance the important need to protect the health and safety of the public with the rights of our INA-represented nurses to strike if they so choose,” UI Health said.
About 575 workers were out at the picket line Wednesday.