Physicians at a Cook County hospital on Chicago’s South Side today voted to join the Service Employees International Union.

The unanimous vote brings Provident Hospital’s 60 attending physicians into SEIU. The union now represents 250 doctors at Cook County facilities including Oak Forest Hospital and the jail. At a press conference, Provident physician Connie Swiner pointed to cuts last year at the county’s Bureau of Health.

SWINER: We look forward to joining our colleagues at these other bureau institutions in negotiating a contract that will protect our ability to care of our patients and prevent capricious firings.

Bureau spokesman Sean Howard says his office has no comment on the vote so soon after former County Board Chairman John Stroger’s death this morning.

HOWARD: We understand the situation and will respond to it in a more appropriate manner, but not today.

Stroger’s son and successor as chair, Todd Stroger, is threatening more health cuts if the board doesn’t agree to increase the county sales tax.