Prime Healthcare Faces Allegations of Union-Busting and Retaliation

Allegations of Unlawful Practices Lead to Election Delay at Saint Francis Hospital

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Chicago has postponed the Saint Francis Hospital union election, initially scheduled for September 17, due to allegations of Prime Healthcare's violations of labor laws, as reported by the National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), affiliated with National Nurses United. Prime Healthcare recently acquired Saint Francis, one among eight hospitals in Illinois, from Ascension in 2025.

Following a petition by Saint Francis nurses for a union election on August 24, Prime Healthcare allegedly engaged in activities such as unlawfully suspending and firing a nurse, conducting illegal surveillance, and eliminating up to 45 per diem nursing positions while interrogating the nurses about their union support. The NNOC filed charges on September 8, seeking immediate injunctive relief from the NLRB.

"After advocating for patients in my community, Prime Healthcare fired me," stated Emma Isakson, RN. "It is clear that Prime is scared and desperate, because when we do hold our election, we will win our union and be able to put our patients before profits. Prime’s bullying tactics will not work on me or other Saint Francis nurses. We will never stop advocating for our patients."

Nurses nationwide are organizing against Prime Healthcare, citing its prioritization of profit over patient and nurse safety. Registered nurses at other Prime facilities, including Olympia Fields Hospital in Illinois and Central Maine Medical Center, have also filed for union elections on August 24, believing unionization is essential for addressing patient care and staffing issues.

On September 3, nurses at four Prime hospitals, including West Anaheim Medical Center in California and Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Nevada, held one-day strikes to protest Prime's stance on patient care and staffing. The alleged retaliatory actions by Prime against nurses advocating for patients have led to further plans for strikes and pickets across states, with strikes announced at Olympia Fields and sympathy strikes at other locations on September 15.

Prime’s Controversial Practices

Prime Healthcare has been criticized for its history of acquiring hospitals and subsequently reducing services. On September 1, 2026, Prime announced the suspension of obstetric services at several medical centers, leading to accusations from U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of prioritizing profits over patient care, without adequate plans to assist patients needing obstetric services.

• Following the acquisition of St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois, in March 2025, Prime shut down several services, prompting legal action from the Kankakee County State’s Attorney, who claimed that Prime had misrepresented its intentions.
• Service reductions at St. Joseph Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center shortly after acquisition led to a letter from Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin demanding explanations for Prime's actions.

Financial Practices Under Scrutiny

Prime Healthcare's financial practices have also come under scrutiny. In 2024, Prime Healthcare Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the organization, awarded over $104 million in business to companies owned by the Reddy family, including Prime Healthcare Services Inc., according to Form 990. Meanwhile, the Foundation provided a minimal amount of uncompensated charity care and pursued debts from patients eligible for such care.

For more detailed information on Prime Healthcare, visit crimehealthcare.com.

National Nurses United is the largest union and professional association for registered nurses in the U.S., with over 225,000 members. Affiliates include the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, among others.

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