University of Illinois at Chicago Workers on Strike for Safe and Healthy Working Conditions 
Over 4,000
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) workers from SEIU Local 73 and
800 nurses, members of the Illinois Nurses Association (INA), have
walked off the job demanding that administrators "respect us, protect
us and pay us." Nurses initially walked out September 12 and were
joined by thousands of Local 73 workers on September 14. All are
demanding safe working conditions, including sufficient personal
protective equipment (PPE) with increased staffing and a living wage.
Large rallies and lively picket lines have marked the past week as
workers have continued to press their demands. Nurses, clerical,
professional, technical, service and maintenance workers are all
involved. They work at the main campus in Chicago, at UIC's Specialized
Care for Children, and the University of Illinois Hospital and Health
and Sciences System, which also includes Peoria, Rockford, and
Champaign. On September 18, about 1,000 workers poured into downtown
Chicago for a demonstration to further gain support for their
struggle.  The UIC calls
these workers on the frontlines of the pandemic "essential" but pays
them poverty wages with unsafe staffing levels and inadequate PPE. The
workers point out that throughout the pandemic, they have gone to
extraordinary lengths, often risking their own health without the PPE
they need, to care for patients and serve students. A September 14
press release from SEIU states that "Workers are striking for increased
health and safety measures, higher wages and economic security so on
the other side of the health crisis they can thrive. UIC clerical,
technical workers and building and maintenance workers -- those who are
keeping UIC's hospital, clinics and campuses running -- are joining
together so every worker can care for their family, have their voices
heard and rights respected."
In voting 94 per cent
in favour of strike action on September 3, the workers pointed out that
"UIC administration has failed to respond with meaningful proposals
around issues that matter most to workers including safe working
conditions, adequate staffing, and pay increases. SEIU Local 73 has
filed unfair labor practices over UIC's conduct during negotiations.
There has been no resolution to the claims and the union has moved
forward with the intention to strike in its efforts to resolve the
unfair labour practice charges and other worker concerns." On
September 12, Local 73 leaders discovered that UIC is bringing in
strike breakers from out of state, with callous disregard for public
health and safety. The workers pointed out, "These out-of-state workers
are coming from Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, and Mississippi, all of which
are currently listed on the City of Chicago's COVID Emergency Travel
Order. This action calls into question UIC's commitment to a fair
contract, as it goes directly against one of the main bargaining
issues, universal COVID-19 protections. At the moment, SEIU Local 73
does not know whether any of these out-of-state workers were tested for
the virus, let alone conducted the mandatory quarantine period for
states reflected on the travel order. Building
Service Worker Monica Jones stated, "This is making me and my coworkers
upset. You're telling me you don't have the money for us? But you have
$1,200-$3,000 per week to bring in others from another state that's
considered a hot spot? That's a slap in the face. Even with the money
aside, I can't spend it if I'm dead. You call us essential workers, but
you're putting our lives at risk by not giving us universal testing and
protections and bringing in potentially infected people."  
 
 
 
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 35 - September 19, 2020
Article Link:
University of Illinois at Chicago Workers on Strike for Safe and Healthy Working Conditions
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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