Mayor D'Arcy Takes Stand In St. Joe's Nurses Strike: Photos

JOLIET, IL — Tuesday marked the first day of more than 500 nurses at St. Joe's hospital going on strike. Nurses say they had threatened a two-day strike after management lawyers from their hospital’s parent company, Ascension Health, refused to offer market rate wages. Ascension responded by locking all union nurses out of the hospital for four days.

At Tuesday's press conference at 333 Madison Street, Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy told the nurses he is on their side in their labor dispute against the Ascension management group.

"A little over a month ago, I asked the director of labor relations for Ascension to do all it could to protect the patients they serve in Joliet's only hospital," D'Arcy told everyone. "I asked them to listen to their own care teams and bring staffing levels back to pre-pandemic levels. Losing 40 percent of nurses in five years is not acceptable and puts lives at risk.

"Instead, Ascension has walked away from negotiations and will lock out their own nurses from August 22 through August 26. Such tactics will force experienced nurses to look for other employment and will create turnover and unsafe conditions for the very patients they are responsible for serving," D'Arcy continued.

The nurses said Tuesday's press conference would highlight the overlapping crises occurring at Saint Joseph and unveil a multi-state project to pressure healthcare giant Ascension to end its practices of failing to hire and retain adequate levels of staff.

"As a businessman, I understand the need to balance finances and operations and lead people in the workforce," D'Arcy remarked. "I have negotiated labor contracts and worked with unions and management. In my dealerships and other businesses, I treat my workers fairly and with respect and listen to those on the front lines. Thankfully, we have never had a strike or work stoppage in any of my dealerships or businesses."

Lastly, D'Arcy told everyone that "nurses take an oath to devote themselves to the welfare of those committed to their care. It is time for Ascension to negotiate in good faith and not replace dedicated and experienced staff with per diem replacements. I urge you to come back to the negotiating table and resolve this dispute for the well-being of Joliet's residents and the region."