Nurses at Chicago Prime Healthcare hospitals strike after firings

California-based Prime Healthcare is seeing its workers in Chicago striking this week, after the company made the decision to suspend services at multiple hospitals as part of an ongoing consolidation effort.

The strike against the for-profit hospital group was scheduled for one day, Sept. 3. Union organizing happened very shortly after Prime announced that it would be eliminating obstetrics services at three hospitals: St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora and Resurrection Medical Center in Norwood Park.

However, it was nurses at Nazareth Hospital in Chicago that activated the strike, asking other staff at other Prime facilities to join them on the picket line. Nazareth is one of two hospitals that would be opening its doors to the new consolidated stream of obstetrics patients, the other being Olympia Fields.

Nurses at the facilities are accusing Prime of not preparing properly for the consolidation, in addition to retaliating against clinicians and other staff who spoke out against the increase in workload coming their way.

In a statement to CBS News responding to the strike, Prime said it remains “committed to listening, engaging, and addressing concerns in the best interests of our patients and community.”

Meanwhile, hospital leadership at Nazareth said it is currently negotiating and bargaining with union representatives in “good faith” to come up with an amicable solution.

“The planned one-day strike is not expected to disrupt patient care, and our hospital will continue providing the essential services our community depends on,” a spokesperson said. “Our priority is clear: caring for our patients, supporting our employees and maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.”

“Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital has served this community for generations, and we will continue to be here when our patients and community need us most.”

Fired nurses speak out

Some of the nurses who raised complaints were said to have been fired, though the reason remains unclear. They joined the strike organizers—and the union is demanding they be reinstated. 

Nurses at Olympia Fields are not currently striking, but several joined their colleagues in front of Nazareth to have their voices heard and show their support. 

A spokesperson for Olympia Fields said the facility “remains focused on providing safe, high-quality care to our patients and serving our community.” 

“We respect the rights of our nurses to organize and engage in protected activity. During the event, we will ensure patients continue to receive the care and services they depend upon,” they added.

This is a developing story. Ahead of the Oct. 1 consolidation, there could be more strikes and union action if the conflict is not resolved.

For more, read CBS News's coverage by clicking the link below.