Oregon Lawmakers Throw Their Weight Behind Massive Healthcare Workers Strike
MEDFORD, Ore. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Senator Ron Wyden have thrown their weight behind the massive nurses’ strike that began this morning after months of failed negotiations for better pay and working conditions at Providence hospitals.
The governor has expressed concerns about the disruption of medical services to Oregonians, adding that Providence wasted the last 10 days before the strike action announcement instead of returning to the negotiation table.
Providence Has Recruited 2,000 Temporary Nursing Replacements
However, Providence has struck back with a statement saying it has spent that time recruiting 2,000 temporary nursing replacements to care for its 5,500 patients at its eight Oregon hospitals.
Providence has also announced that nearly 40% of the Oregon Nursing Association’s (ONA) strike force have opted to report for duty. They are expecting those numbers to swell as the hours go by.
ONA’s statewide strike – labeled as the biggest ever in the history of Oregon – includes nurses from Providence Medford Medical Center, but not its physicians. Also joining the picket line today are healthcare workers from Providence Hood River, Milwaukie, Newberg, Portland, St. Vincent, Seaside, and the Providence Women’s Clinic.
ONA Dismisses Claims that it Adopted a Negotiating All-or-Nothing Approach
Four days ago, ONA issued a statement, countering claims by Providence that it had not been fully involved in the negotiation process and had instead adopted an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach.
ONA said it was unfortunate that Providence refused to negotiate with its frontline caregivers, opting instead to delay critical issues impacting patient care and worker safety.
ONA said it was not the strike that posed a danger to patient safety but rather chronic understaffing and failure to invest in frontline caregivers.
Survey Reveals Overwhelming Support for Strike Action
Shortly before ONA released its statement, it revealed the results of a survey indicating that over the last three years, more than 90% of patients reported negative experiences at Providence medical facilities. A further 92% of patients said they supported strike action by the group’s healthcare workers.