Nurses at the University of Illinois Health (UI Health) on the Near West Side are bracing for a seven-day strike set to commence on August 19, following a deadlock in contract negotiations. More than 1,700 nurses represented by the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) have signaled readiness to walk out the day after their current contract expires on August 18, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. They demand better wages in step with rising costs of living, improved staff-to-patient ratios, and an expansion of paid parental leave from the present six weeks.
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Paul Pater, an emergency staff nurse and co-chief steward of the INA, underscored that a better security plan is also among their requirements, expressing that the university's existing safety measures are often reactive and thereby failing to preempt incidents of violence. Having himself been the victim of an assault by a patient that necessitated bilateral hip surgery, Pater shared, "The emergency department is always a hotbed for violence." The hospital spokesperson conveyed disappointment over the strike announcement but assured that measures were underway to maintain operations and patient care.
A similar resolve was echoed by the nurses as CBS Chicago detailed their demands, calling for increased staffing and sturdier safety protocols. Elizabeth Flores, a seasoned nurse at UI Health, gave a personal account of contracting COVID-19 multiple times, which left her with persisting health issues. She voiced concern over the lack of agreement on protective equipment policies that make her feel unsafe at work. Negotiations, slated between August 14-16, hope to offer a resolution, though the hospital has prepared to hire agency staff if the strike ensues.
