Salem, OR – Nurses and healthcare professionals at Providence Health & Systems in Oregon have reached a tentative agreement with the company, bringing an end to a strike that began on January 10. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), which represents nearly 5,000 striking workers, announced the breakthrough late Tuesday evening, confirming that the strike will cease only after the union members vote to approve the contracts.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at most of the eight hospitals affected by the strike, including those in Portland, Hood River, Medford, Milwaukie, Newberg, Seaside, and Oregon City. Due to inclement weather, nurses at Providence’s Medford hospital will also have the opportunity to vote on Saturday. While the strike is poised to come to an end, hospitalist physicians at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland remain on strike and are still negotiating.
The strike, the largest of its kind in Oregon’s history, disrupted healthcare services across the state, impacting several Providence hospitals. However, both the ONA and Providence officials expressed gratitude for the hard work of everyone involved in reaching the agreement, acknowledging the strain on both workers and patients throughout the labor action.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The tentative contract includes several key provisions that address concerns raised by nurses and healthcare workers during the strike. Notably, the agreement includes wage increases both now and in the future. Additionally, an hour of penalty pay will be provided to nurses who miss breaks or lunches during their shifts.
Perhaps most notably, the contract includes language recognizing Oregon’s new nurses staffing law, which mandates that hospitals meet minimum staffing levels to ensure patient safety. The law, which has been a central issue in negotiations, was a significant point of contention during the strike, with workers pushing for stronger protections to ensure quality care for patients.
The tentative agreement comes after a week of intensive mediation, which was facilitated by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. The governor’s involvement was crucial in helping both sides break the impasse that had kept the strike going for nearly a month.
Ongoing Negotiations
While the tentative agreement represents a significant step toward resolving the strike, negotiations are still ongoing for some healthcare professionals. Hospitalist physicians at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland remain on strike and are continuing their discussions with hospital management. However, the agreement for the nurses and other healthcare workers signals a major shift toward ending the widespread disruption that has impacted thousands of patients across Oregon.
The final approval of the contract will come after union members vote on the terms, with results expected shortly after the voting period concludes. If the contract is ratified, the workers will return to their positions, and the strike will officially end.
Providence Health & Systems issued a statement expressing gratitude for the efforts of those involved in the mediation process, as well as to the healthcare workers who continued to care for patients throughout the strike. “Providence is grateful for the tireless work done by everyone involved in this process, as well as those who have been working in our hospitals caring for our communities during the ONA strike,” the company said.
The successful resolution of the strike brings relief to both healthcare workers and the communities they serve, marking a potential turning point in labor relations in Oregon’s healthcare sector.
