Providence Healthcare Strike: St. Vincent Hospitalists Approve Contract, But Medford Nurses Reject Offer

MEDFORD, Ore. — While hospitalists and palliative care physicians at Providence St. Vincent in Portland have approved their tentative agreement, Providence Healthcare nurses in Medford have voted to reject it. St Vincent’s agreement is the first contract for the 70+ hospitalists who unionized with PNWHMA in August 2023.

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Following Governor Kotek’s proposal to end the Providence Health strike in January, the hospital has been in talks, which have now resulted in an agreement at St Vincent’s with hospitalists and palliative care physicians.

The hospitalists, represented by the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association (PNWHMA), voted unanimously in favor of their contract after more than a year of negotiations and almost 30 days on strike.

Addressing concerns around patient safety, equity, and job security, PNWHMA said the agreement contains comprehensive measures covering these issues and reflects the collective determination of hospitalists to advocate for meaningful changes that benefit both providers and patients.

The hospital said in its release that Providence plans to work with federal mediators and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) to explore the next steps in the nurses’ strike.

As Providence St. Vincent’s hospitalists proceed with their contract, negotiations with Providence Medford’s nurses will continue as the parties work toward improving working conditions and patient care.