Major Win in the Fight to End Agency Staffing at Cook County Health

An Arbitrator has ruled that Cook County Health must act to reduce its reliance on agency spending, giving County Workers another win in their long fight to end outsourcing.

Since 2021, Stroger Hospital has relied on agency workers to fill the role of Ward Clerks. The County claimed they sought temp workers for the position because they could not find qualified workers to pass the mandatory typing test, which wasn’t required for agency workers. Using temp workers to perform bargaining unit work violates the union contract, spurring SEIU Local 73 to take action and file a grievance in December 2022.

In July 2024, Arbitrator Benn issued an order forcing the County to permanently waive the typing test. The Order also requires the County to notify agency workers of the vacant position and the additional bump in pay they’ll receive as union members. Additionally, the Order states that County workers must receive overtime before agency workers, and County workers who lose overtime will be awarded back pay.

“This Order will lead to a major shift in the County’s long-time reliance on inexperienced agency workers. Reducing agency spending will remove an unnecessary burden and improve the quality of patient care, bringing Cook County Health one step closer to being a provider and employer of choice,” said President Dian Palmer.

From the bargaining table to testifying at Cook County Board hearings, Cook County workers have fought against outsourcing for years. This latest ruling is another win that will improve patient care and end the expensive practice of relying on agency spending.  

The Fight to Reduce Agency Spending

Since 2018, the County has spent over $500 million to outsource hospital work, most of which was awarded to controversial out-of-state agencies like Vaya Workforce Solutions (Texas) and Cross Country Healthcare (Florida). Extensive research conducted by SEIU Local 73 reveals that the percentage of agency-employed individuals in outsourced job titles ranges from 20% to a staggering 86% of the total jobs within many departments. The reliance on agency workers, constituting 21% of the workforce at Cook County Health, is financially burdensome and adversely impacts patient care by affecting continuity, experience, and more.

In September 2023, Cook County Commissioners Alma Anaya, Bridget Degnen, and Anthony Quezada announced a resolution requesting a joint hearing of the Health & Hospitals Committee and the Finance Committee for a report on staffing agencies. On October 17, workers testified about the impact of agency staffing on their ability to do their jobs, arguing that agency workers lack familiarity with the inner workings of Cook County Health, which impacts the quality of patient care.

A few months following the hearing, Commissioners Anaya, Degnen, and Quezada toured Stroger Hospital in February 2024 to personally see the impact of the high volume of agency contracts. “This agency staffing issue is unsustainable and infuriating. We’re taking this feedback back to our colleagues and are committed to holding Stroger accountable,” said Commissioner Quezada during the visit.

Cook County workers know elected officials, patients, and community members are on their side. They are determined to keep fighting to end the reliance on agency spending and bring back good union jobs for the public.