The largest strike taking place in this country today is the combined nurses and campus workers strike at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It represents one of the most important examples of united working class action in the time of Trump and COVID.
What’s involved here? On Saturday, September 12, 800 nurses, members of the Illinois Nurses Association, began a one week strike against the University of Illinois Hospital. They were joined on Monday by almost 4,000 members of SEIU Local 73. The SEIU strikers, from the University’s clerical, technical, building, maintenance and professional units are on an open ended strike. These numbers are not the full size of the bargaining unit. The University successfully sought an injunction prohibiting 535 INA members and 300 SEIU members from striking. These workers are in twelve units where the judge deemed that a strike, “would cause a clear and present danger to public health and safety”. The injunction was unable to deter these workers from joining the pickets before and after their shifts.
The number one issue in the strike is safe patient limits or nurse to patient ratios. The slogan, “Safety in Numbers” is probably the most popular placard on the picket lines. This idea of, “bargaining for the common good”, of demanding something that benefits the patients strikes a highly popular chord as the virus prepares its probable winter surge. The standing and credibility of these healthcare workers is enhanced by the tragic fact that four workers and one family member have died from COVID.
The SEIU strikers are from all parts of the campus, not just the hospital. For these workers demands for a $15 an hour minimum wage and the provision of adequate personal protective equipment are at center stage. Some workers even receive less than the current City of Chicago $14 an hour minimum wage.
As in common in hospital strikes, scabs have been flown in from across the country. National organizations exist in order to provided hospitals with strike breakers that have the necessary training and licenses. The UI Hospital scabs have come in for particularly poor publicity. Illinois requires fourteen day quarantining for travelers from sixteen states. The scabs obviously did not go into quarantine, but were put straight to work.
The strike has seen high levels of membership involvement. The main Taylor Street entrance to the hospital is a sea of blue and purple, the colors of the nurses and of the SEIU. A sort of “strike village” exists with many tents for water, food, PPE, and organizing. Incessant honking by passing cars and trucks indicate popular support for the strikes. At least, three major rallies and marches have taken place. Monday’s rally appeared to have about 1,300 workers at it.
The makeup of the rallies and pickets reflect the composition of the workforce. The strikers are predominately female with large numbers of Filipino, Latinx, and Black workers. Black Lives Matter placards are very visible. Mexican flags were out to celebrate Día de la Independencia on day 5 of the strike.
The bosses are always more vulnerable when more than one section of the workforce is out on strike at the same time. This not only increases pressure on management, but creates a sense of unity and momentum for the strikers. In this regard, it is worth noting that this is the second time in a year that SEIU73 has been on a coordinated simultaneous strike alongside another union. Last year, they were on strike together with the teachers. This united action is an important example for the rest of the labor movement.
While the nurses will soon return to work, the SEIU strike will continue. Organizing solidarity is an important priority for all labor activists and socialists.
Adam Shils
Adam Shils is a member of the International Socialism Project in Chicago.
