Nurses push back as hospital system faces union push and layoffs

Across Chicago’s northern suburbs, nurses at four hospitals are fighting more than just long shifts—they’re battling their employer over how workers should have a say in their jobs. Nearly 3, 000 nurses at Endeavor Health hospitals like Evanston, Skokie, and Glenbrook have been openly organizing since spring, fed up with pay cuts that shaved $5 to $22 an hour and staffing shortages so bad some say patient care is at risk. Now two senior ICU nurses, both with years of experience, have become the latest flashpoint after being fired for handing out union flyers inside their workplace—even though they followed usual ID rules. The issue isn’t small change. Nurses say fair pay and safe staffing levels are on the line, while the health system logged $494 million in losses in 2024. Still, the CEO brought in over $5 million last year, including bonuses, raising eyebrows when layoffs happen but executive pay stays strong. A federal agency says protecting workers who want to unionize is their job—yet three complaints have already been filed against Endeavor since March, accusing the chain of watching nurses too closely and punishing those who speak up.What started as quiet talks has turned into a stand. What was fear has flipped into outrage. Over 1, 000 staff have signed a petition demanding the two fired nurses return to their posts, and nurses who once stayed silent are now leading organizing drives. Leaders say the firings were meant to scare people off, but instead sparked wider support. Organizers now aim to bring nearly all nursing staff across Endeavor into the union, not just the original four hospitals. Spokespeople insist every firing and policy follows the law, but critics point to a pattern: pay cuts to frontline workers while big bonuses flow upstairs. Meanwhile, legal filings keep piling up, testing whether the health giant will play by the rules—or keep pushing back as workers push forward.