ONA Statement On Hospital Closures In Oregon: Vibra Specialty Hospital Of Portland And Ashland Community Hospital - 12/04/25

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly condemns the recent decisions to close Vibra Specialty Hospital in Portland and to eliminate inpatient surgical services and the birthing center at Asante Ashland Community Hospital. These closures represent a devastating loss of critical healthcare access for Oregonians, forcing patients to travel farther for care, increasing risks in emergencies, and placing additional strain on an already overburdened health system.

Vibra Specialty Hospital, Oregon’s only long-term acute care facility, is slated to shut down on February 1, 2026. This closure will eliminate 310 jobs, including positions for nurses, therapists, and support staff, while forcing medically complex patients who require extended, specialized care to remain longer in traditional hospitals or seek treatment out of state. Similarly, Asante’s Ashland Community Hospital closure threatens essential services in Southern Oregon, compounding the impact of rural hospital closures statewide and forcing patients to travel farther for necessary care.

These closures are part of a broader crisis fueled by healthcare funding cuts under the Trump administration and the increasing corporatization of healthcare, which prioritizes profit over patients and community needs. The result is fewer local options for patients and a strained healthcare system.

Oregon’s patients and healthcare workers deserve a system that prioritizes public health over profit. We need robust, long-term investments in healthcare—not hospital closures and funding cuts. 

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Legacy’s Refusal To Bargain Continues As Advanced Practice Providers Walk The Line For A Second Day (Photo) - 12/03/25

(Portland, Ore.) - Advanced practice providers (APPs) packed the picket lines again outside Emanuel and Good Samaritan hospitals, waiting for word that Legacy executives agreed to come back to the bargaining table. The energy was high and the coffee flowing to ward off the chilly temps. Strikers’ spirits were bolstered by support from members of other bargaining units, including nurses from OHSU and APPs and Legacy nurses from across the system.

State Representative Lamar Wise stopped by the strike line at Emanuel, showing his support and reaffirming that the community stands with APPs in the fight for fair working conditions and quality patient care. Rep. Wise said, “I’m here because I believe in you all, I believe in the power of labor unions, and I believe in the power that you all have.”

For nearly two years, the bargaining team for the 135 APPs have been trying to reach a first contract that protects patients through recruitment and retention of high-quality providers and puts an end to inequitable practices like unpaid work. The APPs work in Legacy hospitals and clinics located in the Portland metro and Southwest Washington. They include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).

The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).

Strike lines are located at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.

Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the strike.

A reminder to patients from APPs: 

If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care. Patients who need hospital or clinical care immediately should go to receive care. We would prefer to provide your care ourselves, but Legacy executives’ refusal to continue meeting with APPs has forced us to strike to advocate for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into a hospital or clinic to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. We invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've received the care you need. 

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FOR MEDIA PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY:

Schedules are subject to change. Please reach out to the identified ONA press contact for information about specific locations and events and to schedule interviews.

MEDIA AVAILABILITIES

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, DEC. 4-5: 11 AM – 1 PM

• Legacy Emanuel (501 N Graham St, Portland, OR 97227)

Myrna Jensen, 907-350-6260, jensen@oregonrn.org

• Legacy Good Samaritan (1015 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210)

Kevin Mealy, 765-760-2203, mealy@oregonrn.org

SATURDAY, DEC. 6: 11 AM-1 PM

• Legacy Good Samaritan (1015 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210)

Myrna Jensen, 907-350-6260, jensen@oregonrn.org

Additional dates and events will be shared with media as they become available.

First APP Strike In Oregon Begins As 135 Providers From Legacy Health Walk The Picket Line, Legacy Still Refuses To Bargain (Photo) - 12/02/25

TODAY: Strike Starts At Legacy Health; 8 AM Press Conference Outside Legacy Emanuel Hospital (Photo) - 12/02/25

MEDIA ADVISORY: Strike Starts at Legacy Health Dec. 2

8 AM Press Conference from the Strike Line at Legacy Emanuel

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WHAT: Advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health hospitals and clinics in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington will begin an open-ended strike against Legacy Health Dec. 2. APPs will hold a press conference from the picket lines Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. to discuss patient care concerns, the need to raise healthcare standards, and Legacy’s refusal to continue bargaining. 

The APPs include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who have been working to reach a fair contract agreement with Legacy for nearly two years.

WHEN: Strike Line Press Conference, Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. 

WHERE: The strike line outside of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (501 N. Graham St. Portland, OR 97227). See the green picket line location near the intersection of N. Vancouver Ave. and N. Graham St. on the included map for media use only.  

WHO: APPs who are part of the Legacy Downtown/Specialties Bargaining Unit and care for patients at hospitals and clinics in Oregon and Washington.  

• Rob Brookshire, PA 
• Leigh Warsing, PA  
• April Callister, PA  

WHY: APPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. They provide high-quality care directly to patients and are essential for expanding access to health care, reducing wait times, and ensuring patients and our community receive outstanding care.

After nearly two years at the bargaining table, APPs delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives on November 20 while offering to continue meeting with Legacy executives every day to reach a fair agreement that protects patients, enables Legacy to recruit and retain skilled caregivers, ends inequitable practices like unpaid work, and averts the need for a strike. Unfortunately, Legacy executives are illegally refusing to meet with APPs.

The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). 

Strike lines will be established at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2. Starting December 3, picket lines will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.

Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike. 

A reminder to patients from APPs:  

If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care. Patients who need hospital or clinical care immediately should go to receive care. We would prefer to provide your care ourselves, but Legacy executives’ refusal to continue meeting with APPs has forced us to strike to advocate for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into a hospital or clinic to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. We invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've received the care you need. 

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Legacy Executives Ignore Federal Law, Refuse To Bargain With Healthcare Providers Ahead Of Strike (Photo) - 11/24/25

Workers File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Legacy; Invite Executives Back to the Bargaining Table “We’ll bring the turkey, the sides and the pumpkin pie.”

(Portland, Ore.) – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Legacy Health for illegally refusing to meet with advanced practice providers (APPs) and come to a fair contract agreement to prevent a strike. While Legacy has told workers, “We have been in active labor contract bargaining with staff and continue to work in good faith to create a contract that is beneficial to all parties.” In fact, Legacy executives and outside lawyers walked away from the bargaining table Nov. 20 and have said they would not continue contract discussions; a violation of federal law. 

The 135 advanced practice providers (APPs) at Legacy Health have offered to meet with Legacy executives every day leading up to a strike in order to reach a fair agreement that protects patients, enables Legacy to recruit and retain skilled caregivers, ends inequitable practices like unpaid work and averts the need for a strike. If Legacy continues illegally refusing to meet with healthcare providers, a strike will start Dec. 2.

“We’re fighting for a fair contract to give every patient what they deserve: shorter wait times, more available appointments and continuity with the caregivers you know and trust,” said Leigh Warsing, PA and ONA bargaining team member at Legacy. “We’re ready to reach a fair agreement that improves patient care and avoids a strike, but we need Legacy executives to come to the table.”

“We’ll bring the turkey, the sides and the pumpkin pie.” Warsing added. “Legacy executives just have to show up.”

• Click here to watch APPs press conference on Nov. 21 

The APPs at Legacy include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who care for patients in the Portland metro area and SW Washington. They are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) which represents more than 3,500 frontline healthcare providers at hospitals and clinics throughout the Legacy Health system. 

While not unique, Legacy’s illegal refusal to meet with healthcare workers is unusual. Multiple Oregon hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend, met with caregivers in the days leading up to a strike and reached fair agreements which prevented them. In recent years, ten California hospitals and health systems have also reached similar agreements in the 10 days prior to strikes. Multiple hospitals and health systems in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have also continued talks with frontline healthcare workers in the days before a strike and successfully reached agreements which prevented strikes from occurring. 

Community members can visit www.OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike.

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Advanced Practice Providers At Legacy Announce Plan To Strike Starting Dec. 2 (Photo) - 11/21/25

Nurse practitioners, physician associates, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists treat patients in Legacy hospitals and clinics.

(Portland, Ore.) — At a press conference this morning, advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health—represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)—announced that they delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives. The notice informs management that 135 APPs across the Legacy Health system will begin an open-ended strike on December 2, 2025, at 6 a.m., if Legacy fails to reach a fair contract agreement.

Legacy continues to lag behind what Kaiser and OHSU offer their APPs in total compensation and will struggle to recruit and retain top frontline caregivers unless it makes meaningful movement at the bargaining table. Many Legacy APPs aren’t even compensated for the administrative work they’re required to complete, a situation that underscores the deep inequities they are fighting to fix.

• Click here to watch ONA APP’s press conference. 

The APPs include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who provide direct patient care in Legacy hospitals and clinics throughout the Portland Metro Area and in SW Washington. 

“We are striking because we want our exceptional healthcare providers to continue caring for our community. Our team has made Legacy a place patients can trust. With Legacy’s current contract offer, my colleagues will leave for better-paying, better-supported jobs elsewhere—leaving patients with fewer, less experienced providers when they need us the most,” said Leigh Warsing, PA and ONA bargaining team member at Legacy. “Legacy management needs to return to the table and negotiate a fair contract that retains experienced providers and protects the safety of every patient who comes through our doors.”

ONA has offered to meet with Legacy every day leading up to the strike, but Legacy has refused to meet. APPs remain ready, willing, and able to negotiate around the clock to reach an agreement and avert a strike.

Reasons for the strike: 

• The current proposal from Legacy keeps APP wages well behind APPs at other area health systems.  
• APPs are routinely working unpaid hours to deliver patient care, complete required administrative tasks, and during patient hand-offs. 
• APPs should be paid for holidays and weather closures and not have to use their annual paid leave (which should be used for vacation/personal needs) to make their paychecks whole.

APPs at Legacy formed their union in December 2023 and have been in contract negotiations since May 2024.

Healthcare workers have provided Legacy more than 10-days advance notice of the strike to give Legacy time to make alternate arrangements for patients and determine what services they will continue to provide.  

Legacy Refuses to Continue Bargaining 

On Thursday, November 20, Legacy executives and their hired law firm walked away from bargaining, telling APPs they would not continue negotiations because of the strike notice. APPs have offered to meet every day to reach an agreement and avoid a strike.

Picket lines will be established at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2. Starting December 3, picket lines will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.

Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike.

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Media Advisory: Advanced Practice Providers At Legacy Health Announce Intent To Strike Starting Dec. 2 - 11/21/25

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 A.M. NOVEMBER 21, 2025

WHAT: Advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health will hold a press conference to discuss their notice of an open-ended strike starting Tuesday, December 2 at 6 a.m. Following prepared remarks, speakers will take questions from the press.

APPs delivered their formal strike notice to Legacy management on November 20 after more than 18 months at the bargaining table. Since APPs voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike on October 14, 2025, they have met with Legacy management seven times in an effort to reach a fair contract. Instead of continued engagement, Legacy’s hired legal team told APPs they were walking away from negotiations and would not consider any additional proposals.

Despite Legacy’s refusal to continue bargaining, APPs have offered bargaining dates and remain fully committed to reaching an agreement and preventing a work stoppage. Legacy’s legal team has made it clear they will not return to the table during the legally-required notice period—a choice that brings the health system closer to an avoidable strike.

The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). They joined the statewide organization in December 2023.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 21, 2025  

WHERE: Oregon Nurses Association, 18765 SW Boones Ferry Rd., Tualatin, OR. 3rd Floor

WHO: APPs who are part of the Legacy Downtown/Specialties Bargaining Unit 

• Becky Berman, NP 
• April Callister, PA 
• Melissa Dolbec, NP 
• Leigh Warsing, PA 

WHY: Legacy continues to lag behind regional healthcare systems like Kaiser and OHSU in APP compensation including benefits—putting the organization at risk of losing top frontline caregivers unless it makes meaningful movement at the bargaining table. APPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. They work alongside physicians to expand access, reduce wait times, and ensure patients receive timely, high-quality care.

Despite this critical role, Legacy does not offer competitive wages, and some APPs are now considering leaving the system. Many are not even compensated for the administrative work required of them—an inequity that highlights the systemic issues APPs are fighting to address.

The 135 APPs preparing to strike include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who provide direct patient care across the Portland Metro Area and Southwest Washington. 

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Nurses Fight Hunger With Food Drive At Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center (Photo) - 11/18/25

ONA nurses donate food and $4000+ to neighbors in need.  

(Corvallis, Ore.) – Local nurses’ food drive resulted in hundreds of pounds of food along with a $4200 check to the Linn Benton Food Share to support families in need. The financial donation will help Linn Benton Food Share acquire and distribute the equivalent of 21,000 meals to local community members. 

Nurses began collecting food and monetary donations in break rooms at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in late October. Donations were picked up November 17. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents more than 630 nurses at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

“I volunteer at a food bank and I’ve seen a drop in donations and an increase in needs this year,” said Cindy Roler, an ONA nurse at Good Samaritan and organizer of the food drive. “When I saw the food drive ONA nurses in Bend organized, I thought, ‘We could do that!’ Nurses care for our community every day. This is just another way we can give back.” 

Nurses at Good Samaritan have traditionally collected and donated their ‘holiday bonuses’—free turkey coupons—to local food banks, but after recent cuts to food benefits, nurses wanted to do more this year. 

“No one in our community should have to go to bed hungry. We’re proud to be able to do our part for our neighbors and help them put food on the table,” said local nurse Amanda Newman, an ONA executive committee member at Good Samaritan.

Nurses throughout the hospital contributed to the drive by filling food collection boxes and donating $2100. ONA’s local executive committee voted to match nurses’ financial donation with bargaining unit funds and oversaw the donation’s delivery Monday.  

“Having access to healthy foods helps build the foundation for a healthy life. When you don’t have to worry about your next meal, kids can stay focused in school and parents can afford medications,” Newman said. “Helping families with the basics strengthens our entire community.”

Linn Benton Food Share stocks 68 local food pantries and meal sites supporting 15,000 people throughout Linn and Benton counties. Over the last few years, rising costs, increasing unemployment and federal cuts to food assistance have led more community members to reach out for help. 

While the Trump administration was withholding benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the country’s largest anti-hunger program—Linn Benton Food Share filled the need, spending more than five times its usual monthly budget to keep shelves stocked. Even after SNAP benefits were restored last week, the lingering effects of food delays and the shutdown have made it hard for many Oregonians to keep food on the table. 

“There is a great need out there. Those of us who are more fortunate can help meet that need,” said Roler. “I’m so grateful for the generosity and support our nurses and staff have shown. They’ve really stepped up to the plate and you can too. If you’re able, please donate, volunteer or consider starting your own food drive. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference in someone else’s life.” 

To learn more, get help and find out how you can contribute go to www.linnbentonfoodshare.org. 

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