Jul 16, 2020
News

[Labor Notes] Nurses Strike for More Staff at Big Illinois Health Chain

[Labor Notes] Nurses Strike for More Staff at Big Illinois Health Chain

“After COVID-19, they put a sign up saying ‘heroes work here,’ but they sure aren’t treating us like that in bargaining,” said Olga Deschamps, a nurse at AMITA St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois. Deschamps is one of 720 registered nurses at the hospital who have been on strike since July 4. The Illinois Nurses Association (INA) has been bargaining with St. Joseph since February; their contract expired May 9. It’s a battle between David and Goliath. AMITA Health is the largest health system in Illinois, and it’s part of Ascension, the largest Catholic health system in the world.

Similar News

[CBS] St. Joseph’s Medical Center nurses allege chronic understaffing in class action lawsuit
Nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center have filed a class action lawsuit against Prime Healthcare and Ascension Healthcare for "chronically understaffing the hospital."
Jun 10, 2026
[Shaw Local] Blue Cross patients could lose coverage at Illinois Prime hospitals, healthcare firm says negotiations ongoing
INA members this week said Prime Healthcare is placing profits over patient and worker welfare. In addition to service and staffing cuts, the INA also noted that patients may soon...
May 8, 2026
[CBS] Nurses worried about future of St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet
Nurses and Illinois state lawmakers said on Monday that they are concerned about the future of St. Joseph Medical Center under its new for-profit owner, Prime Healthcare.
May 5, 2026