CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- About 200 workers at Loretto Hospital say they could go on strike as soon as the end of the month.
SEIU, the union representing about 200 technicians and other workers at Loretto Hospital said it's filed a strike notice - and could walk out as soon as July 31.
The union said the hospital is paying too little and that that has caused a staff shortage and unsafe working conditions.
"We deal with patients who are on PCP. They're very strong. For us to control that patient, sometimes it takes a lot of staff members and sometimes we don't have the staff," said Wellington Thomas.
He has worked at Loretto 16 years. Thomas is a lead emergency room technician. He gave an example of what he said happened as a result of low wages and low staffing.
"The patient just snapped, grabbed a nurse by her hair and dragged her around like a damn rag doll," Thomas said. "That has happened. That's an actual incident that happened."
Loretto was in the news two years ago when reports surfaced that administrators at the time gave COVID vaccinations to ineligible people with ties to hospital bigwigs.
In a statement to WBBM, Loretto Hospital said it is currently bargaining with SEIU to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
"We appreciate our employees in the SEIU and respect their right to bargain," the statement read. "We have not been able to reach a new Agreement yet, but we will continue to work toward that goal. We are hopeful we will get a new Agreement soon."
Related
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram