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More than 50 skilled maintenance workers at six Prime Healthcare hospitals across Illinois could walk off the job as early as July 2 after issuing a 10-day strike notice, according to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399.
The union represents 53 building engineers, maintenance workers and chief engineers who help operate critical hospital systems at facilities formerly owned by Ascension Illinois. Among the hospitals impacted are Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston and Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital on Chicago’s Near Northwest Side.
Union leaders say the labor dispute stems from Prime Healthcare’s acquisition of the hospitals in March 2025. According to Local 399 Project Manager Mia Korinke, workers were required to reapply for their jobs and lost seniority protections that had existed under previous ownership.
“These workers had their seniority wiped out,” Korinke said. “They were asked to apply for brand new jobs, basically apply for their positions over again, actually twice, and then their seniority clock started over at that new hiring date.”
The union says workers have been negotiating for more than a year and have filed multiple unfair labor practice charges alleging Prime Healthcare and its subsidiary, MedSpace Services, failed to bargain in good faith. Prime and MedSpace have denied those allegations.
According to Korinke, workers are seeking three primary changes: restoration of seniority rights, reinstatement of a structured wage scale and a pay increase to keep pace with inflation.
“Workers are looking for a very modest pay increase,” Korinke said. “They’re not asking for the moon, they really just want to keep up with inflation.”
The affected employees work in hospital maintenance and engineering departments, overseeing critical infrastructure and systems that help keep facilities operating safely. While the number of workers at each hospital is relatively small, union officials say their roles are essential to day-to-day operations.
Korinke said the union hopes a deal can still be reached before any strike begins.
“We don’t necessarily want to go on strike, but they recognize that there’s not a lot of options for them right now,” she said.
In a statement provided to NBC Chicago, MedSpace Services said it has negotiated in good faith and is prepared to maintain operations if a strike occurs.
“From day one, MedSpace Services has respected the rights of its workers to engage in lawful, protected union activity, including the right to organize,” a MedSpace spokesperson said. “MedSpace has bargained in good faith during all our negotiations with IUOE 399 and will continue to do so, with respect for our employees and in support of our shared future. The hospitals have comprehensive plans in place to ensure operations continue without interruption, and we do not anticipate any impact to patient care.”
Negotiations between the union and company remain ongoing. If an agreement is not reached, workers could begin striking as early as July 2, with picketing expected to begin July 3.