Nurses at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center File for Union Election

Nurses seek to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United in one of the largest NLRB filings in the city's healthcare sector.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:22pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stethoscope, a nurse's badge, and a clipboard with medical forms arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract themes of healthcare, patient care, and labor organizing.The push by nurses at Rush University Medical Center to unionize reflects growing labor organizing efforts in the healthcare industry as workers seek to address issues like staffing and patient care.Chicago Today

Nurses at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election and join the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). This is one of the largest NLRB filings for a union election in the healthcare sector in Chicago.

Why it matters

The move by Rush nurses to unionize reflects growing labor organizing efforts in the healthcare industry, as workers seek to address issues like staffing levels, retention, and patient care. A successful union drive at one of Chicago's largest hospitals could inspire similar efforts at other medical facilities in the region.

The details

The nurses cited a desire to improve patient care and working conditions as the main motivations behind their unionization drive. Registered nurses Dan Hurowitz and Keeley Binion stated that forming a union would allow them to better advocate for their patients and ensure management prioritizes staffing and retention.

  • The nurses filed the NLRB petition on April 16, 2026.

The players

Rush University Medical Center

A large academic medical center and hospital located in Chicago, Illinois.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU)

A labor union representing registered nurses across the United States, which the Rush nurses are seeking to join.

Dan Hurowitz

A registered nurse in the General Medicine department at Rush University Medical Center.

Keeley Binion

A registered nurse in the Medical Observation department at Rush University Medical Center.

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What they’re saying

“We are proud to work at Rush and give our patients excellent care. We know that by forming a Union with (the) National Nurses Organizing Committee, we can do even better for our patients.”

— Dan Hurowitz, Registered Nurse, General Medicine

“We are so excited to file for a Union Election. Nurses are essential to patient care. We want to ensure that management prioritizes staffing and retention so we can give our patients the best care possible.”

— Keeley Binion, Registered Nurse, Medical Observation

What’s next

The NLRB will now review the nurses' petition and schedule a union election if the requirements are met. If the nurses vote to unionize, they will begin contract negotiations with Rush University Medical Center management.

The takeaway

The unionization drive at Rush University Medical Center reflects the growing labor movement among healthcare workers, who are seeking to have a stronger voice in addressing issues like staffing, patient care, and working conditions. A successful union election could inspire similar efforts at other hospitals in the Chicago area.