Strike Underway: Ascension St. Joe's Fully Prepared To Remain Open

JOLIET, IL — Thursday marked the latest strike for hundreds of union nurses employed at Ascension St. Joe's Hospital in Joliet and hospital administrators issued a press release indicating that the hospital will continue to operate as normal.

According to Chicago-based Olga Solares, senior director for external communications at Ascension Illinois, "although we implemented our last, best and final offer on our RN contract on January 21, 2024, our bargaining team agreed to meet with Illinois Nurses Association on February 5, 2024, per INA’s request.

"Discussions proceeded throughout much of the day. Unfortunately, INA’s wage proposal continues to not be aligned with Joliet market rates, and we remain far apart in this space."

Solares statement went on to explain, "Our best and final offer is a mutually beneficial solution that provides our nurses a fair and equitable contract, and ensures our community continues to receive access to the quality care they expect from Saint Joseph - Joliet. We know that our nurses and their union representatives share the same goal with all of us at Saint Joseph Joliet, providing safe, quality healthcare to those we are privileged to serve."

Solares said Ascension Saint Joseph Joliet is fully prepared to remain open and care for their patients during the short-term INA strike, say ing, "We urge INA to share a wage proposal with our third-party mediator that appropriately reflects our market."