SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Republicans are confirming that Governor Bruce Rauner has rescinded the layoffs of nurses working for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Earlier this month, 124 union nurses working in Illinois prisons received layoff notices telling them their jobs are being privatized, according to a letter from Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office obtained by The Associated Press.

The notice from the Republican’s administration to the Illinois Nurses Association said nurses at 12 prisons would be laid off June 15, two days after contract nurses are hired.

House GOP members say Rauner has agreed to rescind the layoffs while they continue to negotiate on the issue of non-union subcontracting of the nursing positions.

Alice Johnson, the association’s executive director, said Rauner is retaliating because the union rejected a tentative contract agreement last year.