University of Chicago Medical Center nurses set to strike

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CHICAGO (AP) — A union representing more than 1,500 registered nurses is planning a strike at University of Chicago Medical Center to call attention to issues during contract negotiations.

National Nurses United says the strike will start Thursday at 7 a.m.

Debra Albert of University of Chicago Medical Center says the hospital is ready to serve patients without interruption.

Hospital managers and the nurses disagree on staffing levels, wages and other issues. Bargaining began in August and talks are continuing.

The union says the practice of scheduling nurses to rotate between day and night shifts increases the risk of mistakes caused by fatigue.

The union planned a one-day strike. The hospital says it made a five-day commitment in order to line up replacement nurses, so that means striking nurses will return May 5.