Prominent faith leaders throughout the Chicagoland area are set to stand in solidarity with over 200 Loretto Hospital workers as they enter the fourth day of striking.
On Thursday, August 3, at noon, these faith leaders are expected to join forces with the workers in a rally held at the main entrance of Loretto Hospital.
The Loretto Hospital employees walked off the job on Monday at 7 a.m. Intended to be a display of unity, the group held a press conference alongside elected officials and civil rights leader Pastor Ira Acree. Following the conference, they formed a picket line, demanding fair treatment in their new contract with hospital management. Among their requests were better wages, increased staffing and improved working conditions.
The press conference on Monday drew a crowd of elected officials, including Ald. Chris Taliaferro, State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford and Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps. These officials urged Loretto’s management to negotiate a fair contract for the dedicated unionized staff at the hospital.
Rev. Ira J. Acree, who spoke passionately during the press conference, expressed his unwavering support for the healthcare workers. He emphasized that allowing the management to condemn their workers to a life of poverty was unacceptable and insulting.
For Thursday’s rally, Rev. Acree is set to be joined by a host of prominent clergy members. Bishop Tavis Grant of the Rainbow Push Coalition, Dr. Marshall Hatch of the Leaders Network, Pastor Roosevelt Watkins of Pastors United For Change and Reverend Lajuan Whitfield, president of the New Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Chicago, are among the esteemed clergy leaders who have confirmed their presence at the event.
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