Nearly 200 health care workers at Roseland Community Hospital returned to their jobs Tuesday after a one-day strike over pay, but a standoff continues between union workers and the hospital's administration.

Union representatives want to get back to the negotiation table but have not ruled out arbitration or another strike.

Andrew Phillips, storeroom manager at Roseland and chief steward of the Service Employee International Union Healthcare Local 20, which represents Roseland workers, said that hospital administration has yet to reach out to workers.

"It's pins and needles [at the hospital,]" Phillips said. "It's kind of tense… I'm sure the administration is a little frustrated. We had to say enough is enough. We're not trying to break them."

Workers at the hospital said that they have not received a raise in nearly two years and that some employees are paid up to two dollars less an hour than workers in comparable jobs at comparable hospitals.

Phillips said many workers with years of experience are not making a living wage.

"We have grown men and women raising children making $7.50 an hour. We have people with 20 to 30 years of experience making $10.35 an hour," he said. 

After days of tense negotiations, communication broke down Sunday night and nearly 200 SEIU Healthcare Local 20 workers walked off the job on Monday.

The workers on strike represented employees in many areas at the hospital, including certified nurse assistants, technicians, medical assistants and environmental and food service workers.

The hospital administration brought in replacement workers for the day, stating that "a broad-based contingency plan has been implemented to ensure that we maintain all normal staffing levels and standards of patient care."

A hospital administrator declined to comment on how the hospital coped with the strike or on any negotiations and said no one was authorized to speak with the media.

One patient noticed a few glitches in hospital operations.

Terry White, 65, of Calumet Park, received care in the emergency room on Monday but was referred outside the hospital for detox services.

"They have it here, but they're having problems, so they arranged to send me somewhere else," said White.

Other patients did not notice any service interruptions at the hospital.

Camille Sallee, 65, of Morgan Park received outpatient services at Roseland on Monday and did not notice any changes in available services.

"I was impressed with the police presence and the sign-in procedure. It was orderly. I was satisfied," Sallee said.

Historically, Roseland has had a spotty image in the community.  

Sallee said that Roseland bears the brunt of jokes in the surrounding area, but thinks that Roseland is a good hospital.

"People say, 'Don't go there, you're sure to die,'" she said. "Roseland has been up and down. I've been here a long time.  I wouldn't be here if it hadn't improved."

It's unclear if the latest conflict at the hospital will further tarnish the hospital's image in the community, but the workers hope to negotiate a wage increase with the administration and continue their jobs.

"The workers love the hospital," said James Muhammad, Communications Director for SEIU Healthcare Local 20. "It's a community hospital. It's in a community that needs a hospital. We like the work we do. Let's get back to the table."