WGN TV Chicago
April 15, 2011

CHICAGO—Unionized nurses have voted to authorize a strike against the University of Chicago Medical Center.

National Nurses United represents 1,300 registered nurses at the hospital; union and management have been bargaining since last August.

The nurses are demanding an end to rotating shifts; they also want and better staffing levels. Hospital officials say the staffing levels already exceed those of other local hospitals.

This week's vote merely gives the union the authority to strike if talks reach an impasse; no strike date has been set.