University of Illinois Hospital nurses vote in support of strike

CHICAGO (WLS) -- University of Illinois Hospital nurses voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if their union and the hospital system don't come up with a new contract by late September.

The union says 93 percent of those voting support the action.

Hospital officials say the nurses want a 21 percent raise over three years. Nurses say they're being offered one percent more per year.

The vote is being called a procedural move, though another vote would take place before any possible strike.