Registered Nurses at Rush Set to Vote on Joining National Nurses Union

RNs at Rush University Medical Center to Vote on Unionization

Registered nurses at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center are scheduled to vote on May 14, 15, and 16 regarding joining the National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC). This committee is affiliated with National Nurses United (NNU), the largest nurses union in the nation. On April 8, Rush nurses filed a petition for a union election, marking the largest filing in Chicago's health care sector to date.

Olivia Bouchard, an RN in the labor and delivery unit, expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming vote, stating, “I can’t wait to cast my ballot to join NNOC. As union members with a seat at the table, we will be even stronger advocates for our patients. I hope we inspire RNs in hospitals across Chicago and around the country to organize. Safe staffing ratios help improve nurse retention, fostering a more supportive and responsive environment for patients.”

Rush nurses aim to join NNOC/NNU to enhance their influence in patient care and nurse retention decisions, which they believe will lead to better patient outcomes.

Brenda Langford, RN at Stroger Hospital in Chicago and NNU vice president, stated, “Rush nurses are working hard to win their election to join our union, and we’re proud to support them. We look forward to having them be part of a movement of nurses committed to fighting for our patients, our communities, and our fellow health care workers across the country.”

Askale Facey-Phillips, an RN in the surgical intensive care unit, noted, “Rush management is attempting to dissuade nurses from voting yes, but we will not be deterred. We know that when we win our union, we will have a voice in patient care, and we will improve nurse retention.”

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.

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