UI Health Nurses Reach Tentative Deal After 4-Day Strike
Negotiations Yield Improved Safety Protocols and Higher Wages
About 1,700 nurses at University of Illinois Health have reached a tentative deal with management after four days of striking.
Background on the Strike
The nurses went on strike Wednesday morning, demanding a new contract with higher wages and improved safety conditions.
Tentative Agreement Reached
They were prepared to strike indefinitely but reached a tentative agreement around midnight Saturday, according to an announcement from the Illinois Nurses Association.
“Our members have been deeply involved in these negotiations, from the drafting of language to watching our update calls week after week,” veteran nurse Liz Flores said in the statement. “They knew what this staff and its patient community deserves and they were ready to fight for it.”
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The union is “thrilled “with the deal they have reached, which features improvements to hospital safety protocols and an increase in wages. The proposed contract also includes an agreement between UI Health and its nurses to request the UI Health board increase parental leave for all workers.
Voting and Return to Work
All 1,700 nurses will vote Tuesday on whether to accept the proposed agreement. In the meantime, nurses have called off their strike and returned to work Sunday morning.
Statement from UI Health
“The tentative agreement is the result of extensive discussions and negotiations by all parties and a commitment to reaching a fair and mutually beneficial contract,” the health group said in a statement Sunday. “In the end, both sides worked to reach positions that are beneficial for staff, the University, the Hospital & Clinics, and, most importantly, our patients and community. “
Previous Strike Unsuccessful
Before Wednesday’s strike, the nurses had been working without a contract since Aug. 18. Nurses went on a seven-day strike in August but were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement.
Conclusion
The tentative agreement reached by UI Health nurses and management is a significant step forward in addressing the concerns of the nursing staff. The improved safety protocols and higher wages will benefit not only the nurses but also the patients they care for. We look forward to the results of the upcoming vote and the implementation of the new contract.
FAQs
Q: What are the key provisions of the tentative agreement?
A: The agreement includes improvements to hospital safety protocols, an increase in wages, and an agreement to request the UI Health board increase parental leave for all workers.
Q: When will the nurses vote on the proposed agreement?
A: The nurses will vote on Tuesday.
Q: When did the nurses return to work?
A: The nurses returned to work Sunday morning.
Q: Was this the first strike by UI Health nurses?
A: No, the nurses went on a seven-day strike in August but were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement.
