Some University of Chicago Medicine hospital workers have set a strike date

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Dozens of building trades workers at the University of Chicago Medicine have set a strike date for July 14.

Demond Moore was one of dozens who gathered outside UChicago Medicine on the 5800 block of South Maryland on Wednesday.

“We keep the doors open, right? So we are the veins, right? And, we deliver supplies from air, gas, linen, all the medical supplies that come through every day, organs and everything. We're on time with it. We need to be valued,” Moore said.

Charles Matthews has worked as an engineer at UChicago Medicine for 20 years.

“The work we do here is essential to the hospital. We keep the patients cool. We keep the air running, we keep the heat going. We keep the medical air, so that the nurses and the other workers can do their job,” Matthews said.

“When I was first hired here 20 years ago, I was told that we help save lives. Help us continue to save these lives.”

The carpenters, painters, groundworkers, engineers, supply chain workers, and others are represented by SEIU Local 73. The union said the latest contract with U of C Medicine expired in February.

UChicago Medicine released the following statement:

“We are disappointed SEIU has called on its nearly 130 represented University of Chicago Medical Center employees to strike following more than six months of good-faith bargaining, including yesterday’s session with a federal mediator. We believe a strike is premature and hope to avoid one through additional negotiations with the union that represents our painters, carpenters, building engineers and supply chain specialists.

As we have during every previous threatened workforce disruption, UCMC has engaged a company to provide experienced workers to replace SEIU-represented employees if a strike occurs. These replacement workers will ensure all support functions seamlessly continue so our Medical Center will fulfill its obligation and mission to provide safe, high-quality care to patients.

UCMC remains committed to bargaining in good faith and working toward a new contract. But any new labor agreement must balance the needs of our employees while still allowing the Medical Center to serve the medical needs of our patients and all of the communities that we serve.”

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