Update: Session 12

Negotiations resumed on a successor contract for the INA RN collective bargaining agreement. The parties met in person on August 5, 2024.

INA started the session by informing the UIC bargaining team that they had enough votes to authorize a strike. The INA proceeded with stating that they were re-proposing  several proposals related to safe patient limits, infectious disease and pandemic disasters, health and safety, and nursing care committee with no changes. UIC presented three counters related to the grievance process, personal protective equipment, and notification to the union. There was discussion about the intent behind UIC’s proposed changes and the lead negotiator responded to questions in attempts to clarify those intentions for the INA. Then, the parties went to caucus.

Upon return from caucus, the INA re-presented three proposals related to holidays, association/union activity, and equal opportunity without any new language changes. Then, they countered UIC’s counter on special leaves for the birth or adoption of a child. The INA also asked questions on a counter UIC had provided in prior sessions related to successorship.

Tiesa Hughes-Dillard, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), came to speak to INA’s concerns around her vision for improving floating tracks and elevating nursing skills so that nurses can perform safely at the top of their license. The INA also had some concerns regarding successorship based on rejected language from UIC’s lead negotiator, so the CNO spoke to the parties to assure the INA that there are no plans to sell the hospital.

Finally, UIC presented their counters to INA’s proposals related to float team and pulling/floating of hospital unit-based RNs to other units. Then, the parties discussed meeting times for the next session.