Changes Threaten Health, Well-Being Of Joliet’s Mothers And Children: St. Joe's Nurses To Hold Rally

(The following press release was sent to Joliet Patch by Megan Carlson, Communications Specialist with the Illinois Nurses Association.)

JOLIET, IL — Registered nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Joliet will host a rally Sept. 30 to protest Prime Healthcare's closure of the Obstetrics and Special Care Nursery departments—changes that threaten the health and wellbeing of Joliet's mothers and children.

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As the last line of defense against future cuts, the nurses will urge Prime to come to the bargaining table and negotiate with their union in good faith before the current contract expires in January 2027.

Who: RNs at St. Joseph's Medical Center
What: Rally
When: Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. (CT)
Where: St. Joseph's Medical Center, Springfield Ave. entrance, 333 Springfield Ave.

Speakers:

• Cesar Guerrero, Joliet Township Supervisor

• Emily Caplan from the office of U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood
• Kimberly Craig, RN in Special Care Nursery at St. Joseph's
• Cristina Vanoskey, RN in Labor & Delivery at St. Joseph's
• Mary Sue Bulger, RN in the Progressive Care Unit at St. Joseph's
• Michelle Couturier, former INA staff present during St. Joseph's 1993 unionization campaign

The 505 nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center are represented by the St. Joseph Nurses Association, a local bargaining unit of the Illinois Nurses Association. The INA is an independent union representing health care workers in Illinois.