Prime Saint Mary’s is actively disciplining nurses who advocate for patients and support organizing

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Ill. gave notice to their employer today that they will hold a strike for one day on June 11 to protest the administration’s retaliation against nurses who speak out about unsafe conditions, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). 

This 10-days’ notice of their strike follows an overwhelming show of support from nurses who have indicated they are prepared to strike.  

Nurses at Saint Mary’s are seeking to unionize with National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). They are outraged that Prime management has engaged during this process in a troubling pattern of going after experienced nurses who are advocating for their patients and coworkers. They will hold a rally at 8:30 a.m. with speakers. 

“Singling out pro-union nurses shows that Prime is using discipline to retaliate against us and silence us,” said Maria Russ, RN, in behavioral health. “We are striking because experienced nurses who speak up and advocate for patients have been targeted and pushed out of the hospital.”  

Who: Registered nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital
What: One-day strike for patient safety and an end to union busting
When: Strike begins Thursday, June 11, 6:45 a.m. with 8:30 a.m. rally. Strike ends Friday, June 12, 6:45 a.m.
Where: Saint Mary of Nazareth, 2233 W Division St, Chicago IL, 60622 (corner of W Division St and N Oakley Blvd)

“Patient care is our top concern and is at the forefront of our fight,” said Brenda Hernandez, RN in the ICU. “We are striking because terminating experienced nurses has left the hospital short staffed. Nurses need a seat at the table to advocate for our patients.” 

Saint Mary’s nurses filed for their union election with the National Labor Relations Board on May 20 and held a public rally on May 27 to protest Prime management’s retaliatory union busting.  

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.