Striking Medford Nurses Told to Return or Forfeit Healthcare Benefits

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Providence Hospital group yesterday told striking Medford nurses that they have until the end of this month to return to work, or they will lose their healthcare benefits.

ONA Says Providence Should Focus on Settling a Fair Contract

The strikers union – the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) – has struck back, saying ‘rather than punishing nurses and jeopardizing lives, Providence executives, who earn millions in salaries, should focus on settling a fair contract.’

Caregivers standing on picket lines will retain their healthcare plans if they report back for duty up until 28 February. Strikers have been aware that this would happen since they walked out on 10 January, according to Providence.

In a statement, the hospital group said ONA was also aware of the situation ‘given the extended timeline of the strike.’ Providence confirmed that caregivers who return to work by 28 February ‘will not see a suspension of their benefits.’

ONA has distributed a flier informing hospital workers about the loss of benefits.

COBRA Could Step into the Breach

Those caregivers who elect to remain on the picket beyond the end of the month could perhaps retain their group health benefits via COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. COBRA allows workers to keep their benefits under certain circumstances and for a limited time. Voluntary or involuntary job loss falls under certain circumstances.

Only nurses from Medford are standing firm in their rejection on 8 February of a tentative proposed agreement from Providence. The agreement was accepted by hospitalists and palliative care physicians at Providence St. Vincent in Portland.