St. Mary Nurses Launch 1-Day Strike Over 6 Firings as Union Vote Nears
Updated
Updated · Block Club Chicago · Jun 11
St. Mary Nurses Launch 1-Day Strike Over 6 Firings as Union Vote Nears
3 articles · Updated · Block Club Chicago · Jun 11
Summary
More than 100 nurses and supporters began picketing at 7 a.m. Thursday outside St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital, starting a one-day strike set to run until Friday morning.
Six nurses were terminated in May, and organizers say the firings were retaliation for union activity and complaints about short staffing, missing supplies and reduced patient-monitoring equipment.
The nurses want the six reinstated and are pressing Prime Healthcare to improve staffing and materials, arguing patient care worsened after Prime bought St. Mary and seven other Chicago-area hospitals for more than $370 million in 2025.
Prime said the hospital will stay open during the strike, respects lawful protected activity and remains committed to good-faith talks with nurses.
The walkout comes after nurses filed for a union election with the NLRB on May 20; that vote is scheduled for Wednesday.
Amid a national nursing crisis, could strikes become the only way for nurses to enforce new safe staffing regulations?
As for-profit chains acquire more hospitals, is the battle over nurse staffing the new front line for patient safety?
With federal labor board powers weakening, what power do nurses truly have against massive healthcare corporations?
Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Nurses Strike and Unionization: Firings, Legal Action, and Community Impact in 2026
Overview
The labor dispute at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital began with the firing of several nurses, including Nancy Delgado, a single mother who voiced her determination to speak out despite financial worries. This led to a one-day strike on June 11, 2026, highlighting rising tensions between nurses and hospital management. The hospital has not explained the firings but claims to be committed to good-faith discussions. The conflict is rooted in changes after Prime Healthcare’s acquisition, with nurses alleging retaliation for union efforts. The outcome of ongoing legal and union actions will shape the future for both staff and patient care.