News - UCMC Nurses

March 14, 2024

Nurses Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement

We are pleased to share the news that 2,800 of our nursing colleagues represented by National Nurses United have approved a new four-year labor contract. The agreement is the result of collaborative and constructive dialogue between the University of Chicago Medical Center and National Nurses United.

March 8, 2024

Tentative Contract Agreement

I’m so incredibly happy to report that the University of Chicago Medical Center and National Nurses United have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract. This avoids a strike that had been set to begin next week.

March 7, 2024

Bargaining Update #26

We had more productive conversations with NNU’s bargaining team today on staffing, meeting well into the evening as we continue to march toward the start of the union’s March 14 strike. We will return to the table Friday.

March 5, 2024

Bargaining Update #25

We met today with the NNU Bargaining Team in an added bargaining session. The NNU Bargaining Team has agreed to meet again on Thursday, March 7th as we continue to work toward a contract prior to the upcoming strike on March 14th.

March 4, 2024

Bargaining Update #24

We met multiple times with the NNU today during our first bargaining session since the union announced its planned March 14 strike.

February 27, 2024

Bargaining Update #23

I once again had the opportunity to join the NNU and UCMC teams at the bargaining table today. Both teams passed updated economic proposals and presented contract language for the newly represented critical care outreach nurses.

February 22, 2024

Bargaining Update #22

We reached a tentative agreement on the Weekend Program today that is part of perioperative service line. Our Weekend Program Nurses are valuable members of the team, and we hope these changes continue to support them in their unique work.

February 14, 2024

Bargaining Update #21

We had very productive conversations today, and I feel incredibly positive about both teams’ ability to voice their concerns and desires for our future collective bargaining agreement. This is momentum that must continue in the days ahead.

February 9, 2024

Bargaining Update #20

The NNU has notified their membership that they will be conducting a strike authorization vote on Feb. 20. I wanted to take this time to write to UCMC’s nursing community ahead of the vote to make sure you understand what this vote is — and just as importantly, what it isn’t. I also want to reinforce our commitment to continuing to bargain to avoid a strike entirely.

February 7, 2024

Bargaining Update #19

Today we met for our 19th bargaining session. Last month, our team asked NNU to identify their economic priorities to help us make continued progress toward an agreement that balances the issues that are most important to UCMC nurses with our institution’s economic realities. We are continuing these important discussions and appreciate NNU’s pass and collaboration.

January 30, 2024

Bargaining Update #18

Today marks our 18th bargaining session with the NNU and I’m happy to say we had productive discussions on the following topics: Comp time for salaried nurses (excluding Flight nurses); Time and Attendance policy; Transfer language related to when a nurse can transfer from one area to another; Conference room availability and NNU document storage; Labor and Delivery scrub language related to ensuring proper training for nurses, aligned with new hire didactic orientation training offered in the OR

January 22, 2024

Bargaining Update #17

Today we held our 17th bargaining session with the NNU. UCMC is taking the lead to better understand the NNU’s priorities so both sides can focus on those proposals that matter most to our NNU-represented nurses. Both sides have floated a number of proposals on a myriad of topics through these four months of bargaining. We are happy to have reached so many tentative agreements and believe there is opportunity to accelerate the momentum at the table.