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UI Health providers authorize strike over withheld 2% raise

UI Health providers authorize strike over withheld 2% raise

Force in Play Chicago, IL local

About 200 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives could walk out as soon as Nov. 11.

Today: Strike authorization reported; walkout possible Nov. 11

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

About 200 advanced practice providers at UI Health voted to authorize a strike and delivered a 10-day notice. They say the University of Illinois Chicago withheld a 2% raise that other campus workers received in August.

A walkout could begin Nov. 11 at the University of Illinois Hospital and clinics. But UI Health says a court order freezing bargaining makes a strike unlawful, setting up a fight over whether the union's 2025 certification survives appeal.

Why it matters

A strike by 200 providers could disrupt care at Chicago's public hospital and test whether a court can freeze bargaining after a union wins certification.

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Key Indicators

200
Advanced practice providers in bargaining unit
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives represented by SEIU Local 73.
2%
Withheld raise
Wage increase given to other UIC workers in August but not to the providers.
10
Strike notice period
Notice delivered to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board and UIC.

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People Involved

Dian Palmer
Dian Palmer
President, SEIU Local 73
Leading strike authorization and calling for mediation

Organizations Involved

LO
SEIU Local 73
Labor union
Representing about 200 UI Health advanced practice providers

Chicago-based union representing health care, education and public service workers.
HE
UI Health
Health system
Employer; says strike would violate court order

University of Illinois Chicago's health system, which runs the University of Illinois Hospital and clinics.
IE
Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board
State labor board
Certified union in 2025; received strike notice

State agency that oversees labor relations for Illinois educational employers.
University of Illinois Board of Trustees
University of Illinois Board of Trustees
Governing board
Challenging union certification

Governing board for the University of Illinois system, including UIC and UI Health.

Timeline

2025 November 2026

6 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Strike authorization reported; walkout possible Nov. 11

    Today Labor Action

    About 200 providers voted to authorize a strike; UI Health says a court order makes a walkout unlawful.

  2. Union delivers 10-day strike notice

    Labor Action

    SEIU Local 73 notifies UIC and the state labor board of a possible walkout.

  3. Providers hold informational pickets

    Protest

    Advanced practice providers picket outside UI Health for union recognition and bargaining.

  4. UIC gives 2% raise to other campus workers

    Pay Dispute

    The raise takes effect for other workers but not the advanced practice providers.

  5. Bargaining begins for first contract

    Negotiation

    Sessions run through June and produce tentative agreements on non-economic provisions.

  6. Union wins certification for UI Health providers

    Legal

    SEIU Local 73 is certified to represent the advanced practice providers.

Scenarios

1

Mediation produces a deal before Nov. 11 walkout

Possible Resolves by Nov 10, 2026

Discussed by: SEIU Local 73 and UI Health statements; Chicago Tribune

The union has said it would rather settle at the table. If mediation yields a tentative agreement or UIC restores the 2% raise, the strike notice could be withdrawn before the deadline.

2

Providers strike Nov. 11; court fight follows

Possible Resolves by Nov 12, 2026

Discussed by: Chicago Sun-Times; union statements

If no deal is reached, about 200 providers could walk out at University of Illinois Hospital and clinics. UI Health says the strike would violate a court order, so the walkout would likely move immediately to court.

3

Court blocks strike; bargaining stays frozen

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: UI Health statements; appellate court order

UI Health has said the Illinois Appellate Court paused its duty to bargain. A judge could enforce that order and bar a strike while the certification appeal proceeds.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2020

University of Illinois SEIU strike notice (2020)

SEIU Local 73 filed a 10-day notice of intent to strike covering about 4,000 clerical, service, maintenance, technical and professional employees at UIC. A federal mediator helped guide contract talks.

Then

The notice set a possible Sept. 14 walkout date.

Now

The episode shows how a 10-day notice can become a bargaining lever at UIC.

Why this matters now

It shows Local 73 has used strike notices at UIC before, and that notices can pressure negotiations without a confirmed walkout.

2025

U.S. health care and education work stoppages (2025)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 30 major work stoppages began in 2025, idling 306,800 workers. Education and health services accounted for 196,500 of those idled workers.

Then

Health care and education drove most of the year's strike activity.

Now

The sector entered 2026 with elevated labor action.

Why this matters now

The UI Health dispute is part of a sector where strikes have recently been concentrated.

Sources

(3)
Chicago Sun-Times Medical Daily Hoodline