Union nurses at Jackson Park Hospital are urging hospital leaders to hire more South Siders for permanent positions as they negotiate a new contract. The nurses, represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United, held a rally outside the hospital in South Shore, joined by supporters from other South Side hospitals and activist groups.
One of the main demands from the unionized nurses is the hiring of more full-time staff nurses. Currently, temporary nurses from outside agencies outnumber the staff nurses at the hospital. The union argues that agency nurses are more expensive and do not provide the same level of consistency of care as staff nurses.
According to Jennifer Harris Goldsmith, a registered nurse and bargaining team member, there are plenty of registered nurses on the South Side of Chicago who are actively licensed but have left the profession due to high case loads, safety concerns, and other staffing issues. The union emphasizes that poor working conditions for nurses lead to lower-quality healthcare, a critical issue for a community facing high rates of chronic disease and limited access to mental health professionals.
Rev. Jamie Fluker, a faith organizer with Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, argues that high-quality healthcare requires addressing safety issues and providing additional education and orientation for nursing staff. Fluker emphasizes the importance of recruiting and retaining nurses from the South Side communities served by the hospital.
The demand for more permanent South Sider nurses comes at a time when the hospital has been relying heavily on temporary nurses, citing a nursing shortage as one of the reasons. The nurses’ union believes that hiring more local nurses would be a better solution to address staffing needs and provide consistent and high-quality care.
In addition to hiring demands, the nurses also called for plexiglass barriers to be installed on the hospital’s fourth floor. The barriers were a key demand during the nurses’ previous contract negotiations in 2020. The absence of these barriers poses risks, particularly for behavioral health care staff, who face incidents of workplace violence.
The hospital, represented by Jackson Park Hospital spokespeople, did not respond to requests for comment on the nurses’ demands.
While negotiations for the new contract are still ongoing, the union hopes to sign a new three-year contract soon. The nurses remain committed to advocating for better working conditions, increased permanent staff, and improved safety measures to provide high-quality healthcare to the South Side community.
In conclusion, union nurses at Jackson Park Hospital are pushing for the hiring of more South Siders for permanent positions as they negotiate a new contract. They argue for the importance of consistent and high-quality care provided by local nurses who understand the community’s needs. The demand comes as the hospital relies heavily on temporary nurses and faces concerns about the safety of its staff. The nurses’ union emphasizes the need to address staffing issues, working conditions, and safety measures to ensure the provision of quality healthcare on the South Side of Chicago.
