The Illinois Nurses Association this morning filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to protest a proposed move by Advocate Medical Group tp close seven Advocate clinics at Walgreens surrounding Chicago.
The advance practice nurses who work in these clinics are represented by INA and currently in bargaining for an initial contract.
According to a letter from Advocate Medical Group, the health care conglomerate will permanently close clinics at Walgreens locations in Carol Stream, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Park, River Forest, Sycamore and Yorkville. Closures, effective Feb. 15, 2020, will impact 13 NPs.
“We are very upset becayse we know our patients need us, and we provide important services with our communities,” said Elizabeth Ralyea, Advanced Practive Nurse Practitioner. “As Nurse Practitioners who have dedicated our training and careers to patient care, we are disheartened to see Advocate put profit over patients, and angry that they treated us, their employees, with such disingenuousness.”
“The closure of these clinics is an attempt by Advocate Medical Group to increase profits by taking away health care services and jobs from the communities the Nurses Practitioners serve.” said Alice Johnson, executive director of the INA.
In its response to Advocate, INA demanded that the company cease and desist movement towards clinic closures. The INA also requested:

Documented justification for the proposed clinic closures, including any and all emails, notes, memos or other communication regarding these proposed closures.
A copy of any and all information communicated to the bargaining unit members related to these proposed closures, including the dates and times of all meetings between the affected NPs and management, and what was communicated to the NPs.
Read the Chicago Tribune’s story here, and stay updated via INA’s website and Facebook regarding these clinic closures.