From the November-December 2018 issue of News & Letters

Bob McGuire for News and Letters

Chicago—Licensed practical nurses and supporters rallied at the University of Illinois Hospitals on Nov. 15, day one of their unfair labor practices strike, after UIH would not budge from a contract offer that left them in a second-class status on workplace conditions, wages and workforce job protections compared to all other hospital workers. Their conditions were so woeful that, even before the strike began, UIH had been unable to fill more than 200 LPN vacancies.

The strike continued with picket lines at outlying clinics and daily rallies until the following Monday, when the UIH CEO committed to attending the next bargaining session as one with the authority to negotiate if he chooses. The enthusiasm of the striking LPNs and the solidarity from other hospital and campus unions may have prodded the CEO into belated action.