Nurses and Healthcare Workers Will Stage the Biggest Strike in the History of Oregon on Friday
In a united display of strength, 5,000 nurses and healthcare workers from Providence hospitals and clinics will stage the biggest strike in the history of Oregon on Friday.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) announced strike action yesterday following months of failed negotiations with the Providence Group management.
Recent Focus Has Been on Healthcare Workers at Providence Medford
The focus in recent months has been on the grievances of healthcare workers at the Providence Medford Hospital, where negotiations for a new contract have been unsuccessful since last year in March.
ONA describes understaffing at Providence hospital emergency rooms and critical care units as a dangerous practice endangering the well-being of patients. It also accuses the hospital group of ignoring its responsibilities to workers, patients, and the public.
Nurses Union Calls for Regionally Competitive Wages and Benefits
In a news release, the nurses’ union says its members want Providence to offer regionally competitive wages and benefits that will enable Providence to recruit and retain more workers. Other requests include an appeal to the hospital group to invest in patient safety and to stop healthcare cuts.
Healthcare workers striking from 6 a.m. on Friday are from Providence facilities in Portland, Medford, Hood River, Willamette Falls, Newberg, St. Vincent, Seaside, and the Providence Milwaukie Women’s Clinic.
Providence Says Union Was Less Willing to Find Middle Ground
In reply, the chief executive of Providence Medford, Chris Pizzi, said that during negotiations, ONA was less willing to find a middle ground.
He said ONA appeared more interested in widespread strike action than reaching an agreement and a beneficial solution for nurses at the Medford hospital.
Pizzi said Providence had offered double-digit wage increases averaging $20,000 each for full-time nurses in the first year. Providence had also offered bonuses of up to $5,000, as well as other incentives.
Pizzi said the healthcare group has organized replacement workers to meet commitments to the communities it serves during the ONA strike action and extended an invitation to caregivers who would rather work than strike.