Last week, at a state regulatory hearing on Advocate's proposed $20 million hospital expansion at South Suburban Hospital, Advocate's corporate lobbyist Crystal Olsen told Illinois officials that Advocate is just as frustrated with federal labor delays as the workers they fired.

Reality check: These workers are just fighting to put food on the table. Advocate Health Care is a nationwide health system with $4.6 billion in net income. We're not buying Advocate’s spin, and neither should you.

Here's what Crystal didn't mention: The NLRB certified Local 399 as the exclusive bargaining agent for skilled maintenance workers at South Suburban on September 30, 2025 and Advocate's legal challenges to that election were dismissed. Their response was to file another procedural objection — and then ignore months of requests to set bargaining dates.

These workers keep our hospitals running every day. They maintain the air systems, medical gas lines, boilers, and backup power that patients depend on. Advocate on the other hand, is being investigated by the federal government for retaliation, intimidation, and union busting.

Let’s set the record straight for Crystal Olsen and for the public: These workers won their union fair and square. It’s time for Advocate Health Care to honor the election, come to the table, and bargain a fair contract.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

*IUOE Local 399 has a labor dispute with Advocate Health Care*