Roughly 1,000 nurses at the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago are allowed to take part in a one-day strike Tuesday, a Cook County court has ruled.
The Board of Trustees of the U. of I. filed for an injunction Wednesday against the Illinois Nurses Association, asking a judge that nine critical departments remain staffed during a strike.
The judge ruled Thursday that the majority of nurses in the collective bargaining unit represented by the INA are authorized to go on strike.
“This is a victory for our nurses and for all employees who believe they have the legal right to strike as a way to demonstrate to their employer that their working conditions are not conducive to employment,” said Alice J. Johnson, executive director of the INA.
The union plans a one-day strike for Tuesday, claiming proposals made by hospital management would create unfair and unsafe working conditions.
“The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System is committed to providing high quality clinical care to our patients,” CEO Avit Ghosh said in a statement. ”We are disappointed that despite progress in the discussions the Illinois Nurses Association leadership intends a one-day strike on Oct. 21.”
About 1,000 of the 1,100 nurses represented in the collective bargaining unit will be authorized to strike, said Chris Martin, a spokesman for the INA.
But the judge approved a motion, filed by the hospital, that will prohibit some nurses who treat critical care patients from striking.
Nine departments must remain fully staffed during the strike, including: bone marrow transplant unit, emergency department, labor and delivery unit, medical ICU/open heart, neosurgical ICU, neonatal ICU, organ transplant/surgical ICU, pediatric ICU and oncology.
“While we hope a strike will not occur, we have a responsibility to ensure our patients’ continued care and safety,” Ghosh said.
Officials from the hospital and union will next meet for a mediation session Monday.
