Chicago nurses win historic union vote to join National Nurses Organizing Committee

Registered nurses at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, voted overwhelmingly in favor (77 percent) of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the nation's largest and fastest-growing registered nurse (RN) union.

"We are proud to join a strong union for RNs in National Nurses Organizing Committee that will give us the tools and resources to be powerful advocates for our patients.," said Jennifer Pearl, RN in the medical-surgical unit's float pool. "We call on all nurses in Chicago to join us in our union and organize for safe staffing, nurse retention, and improved patient care."

Nurses at Rush, which includes a 671-bed hospital, say they voted to join the union because it is critical that nurses have a say in making decisions about staffing and working conditions, which leads to improved patient care.

Who: Registered Nurses at Rush University Medical Center interview availability
When: Monday, May 18, now until 1:15 pm
Where: Billy Goat Tavern (near United Center), 1535 W. Madison St., Chicago

"We are excited to bargain for a strong contract that protects patients and nurses so we can provide the best care possible," said Regina Piper, RN in the antepartum/postpartum unit. "We want safe staffing. We want Rush to put patients before profits."

NNOC now represents about 2,000 nurses at Rush University Medical Center, who will soon enter negotiations for their first collective bargaining agreement. They will join more than 7,000 RNs at nine Chicago facilities who are members of NNOC/NNU.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.