Striking Joliet nurses approve latest AMITA proposal

The nurses at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet approved the latest offer from the hospital, ending their strike.

Pat Meade, a nurse and lead union negotiator, said Monday the members voted to ratify the hospital's offer. Chris Martin, a spokesman for the Illinois Nurses Association, said the Joliet nurses voted over the weekend through Monday on the offer.

Meade declined to share the exact vote count until the union communicated it to all of their members.

While the nurses' main concern was adequate staffing levels in the new contract, Meade said Monday AMITA was "quite clear" it would not meet their demands.

"They refused to move any further as far as staffing," Meade said.

The nurses also wanted guarantees they will not face reprisals for strike activities, which Meade said AMITA did agree to.

Meade said the nurses union intends to turn to Springfield to seek a legislative fix to their concerns over staffing. She said other states that require what nurses view as more adequate staffing levels have better health outcomes for patients.

The nurses union overwhelmingly rejected AMITA's previous offer over a week ago.

The union represents 720 nurses at the hospital. Nurses went on strike July 4.

"We feel the agreement reached is fair and just for all involved and appreciate the ratification by the represented nurses," AMITA said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming our nurses back to the medical center on Wednesday, July 22, for their regularly scheduled shifts."