Nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center have voted to put a strike threat on the table amid what they've termed difficult negotiations with management.
The nurses voted Thursday to authorize their negotiation team to call a one-day strike if they can't reach an agreement with management. Leaders of the union, part of National Nurses United, oppose the hospital's proposal to eliminate charge nurses as well as a proposed tripling of mandatory rotating shifts that have nurses cycling through day, night and swing shifts.
“The fire in nurses' bellies is just this utter dismissive nature that the hospital has around patient-safety issues,” said Jan Rodolfo, NNU's Midwest director.
The hospital said in a statement that it is “extremely disappointed” with the nurses' vote. Officials also criticized the union for allowing the bargaining team to schedule a strike without first going back to members for another vote.
“We feel this vote is premature as our nurses have not yet seen the full outcome of negotiations,” the hospital said. “We believe contract issues are best settled through respectful and cooperative negotiations.”
But Rodolfo said members understood the significance of the vote and are in constant communication with negotiators for their respective units. A strike threat is often the only way to get management to negotiate seriously, she said.
“There's a real belief that the hospital is not serious about reaching an agreement,” Rodolfo said.
Hospital officials said they have plans in place to ensure normal operations if nurses strike. The opposing parties have bargaining sessions scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20, Rodolfo said. NNU has not set a date for a possible strike.
“I think that we need to give the hospital the opportunity to shift,” Rodolfo said. “Let's give them a couple of weeks to actually look at their proposals.”
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