Local 73 Supports UIC Striking Nurses

Today at 7am, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) at UIC went on an indefinite strike to protest unfair labor practices committed by University of Illinois Health. Nurses are fighting back management’s attempts at altering working conditions without informing the union and contesting the woefully low pay of LPNs across the UIC health system.

Four university unions came together to support the nurses including the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), the Illinois Nurses Association (INA), United Faculty Local 6456 (UF), and Local 73. Union members and supporters gathered today at the University of Illinois Board of Trustees quarterly meeting and held up signs with statements of support for the striking nurses. The crowd then made their way to a press rally where they heard from representatives of every union including Local 73 member Joe Iosbaker.

Joe Iosbaker, Local 73 member at UIC, speaks in support of striking UIC nurses.

Joe Iosbaker spoke on the need for equitable working conditions for all UIC employees in light of the rising cost of living especially in the city.

“We should not stand by as UI Health contributes an already growing wealth gap in the city of Chicago. The board has the power to close the gap for our UIC community by providing living wages to nurses currently bargaining their contract. But if they won’t do it when we ask nicely, then our city will become strike city!”

Supporters are joining nurses at various picket lines across the city including UIC Hospital, Back of the Yards Mile Square Health Center, Englewood Mile Square Center Clinic and more. Follow the Illinois Nurses Association on Facebook for the latest updates at FB.com/IllinoisNurses

Local 73 stands in solidarity with striking nurses.