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…