Workers at Project Vida, a Little Village nonprofit offering HIV and other support to underserved communities, announced their intent to unionize.
The workers filed a petition Monday announcing their intent to unionize with the Illinois Nurses Association, the largest nurses union in Illinois, which also represents unions at Howard Brown Health. The measure will soon go to a vote, but a date has not yet been set.
If created, the union would represent 40 full- and part-time workers at Project Vida, including housing coordinators, pantry workers, receptionists, massage therapists and medical case managers.
“We are committed to improving conditions for all healthcare workers and ensuring that they receive the respect, compensation and support they deserve,” said Julia Bartmes, executive director of the Illinois Nurses Association.
In a press release, workers said they hope the union will help ensure fair pay, improved working conditions and a stronger voice within Project Vida.
“We are ready to work collaboratively with Project Vida to reach a contract that benefits both staff and the patients we serve,” Bartmes said. “We hope that Project Vida will be one of the many nonprofit clinic systems in the city to unionize.”
Representatives from Project Vida did not return requests for comment on whether they support the unionization efforts or would recognize the union if the vote passes.
Workers at Project Vida would join a slew of LGBTQ+-serving nonprofits across Chicago to unionize in recent years.
Workers at Howard Brown Health recently ratified their first contract with the healthcare organization after forming their union in August 2022. Workers at Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and trans-led social services organization on the South Side, also unionized in 2022 and ratified their first contract in October 2023.