Media Alert: Union Leaders For Six Providence Bargaining Units To Hold Press Conference To Announce The Largest Nurses Strike In Oregon History -06/07/24

WHAT: Over the last four days, Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) nurses from Providence St. Vincent, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls, Providence Medford, Providence Hood River and Providence Milwaukie have been in mediation with Providence Health System. Following prepared remarks, nurses will be available for questions from the press.   

WHEN: 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2024   

WHERE: Holiday Inn, 25425 SW 95th Ave, Wilsonville   
Press who are unable to attend in person are invited to attend online at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83162013818?pwd=BbzLQI1ACb9eZoH0bs2YKJ90fnVgOo.1    

WHO:   

Virginia Smith, RN, Member of ONA Board of Directors and Chair of ONA Providence Willamette Falls Bargaining Unit

Jessica Carrier Lobell, RN, Member of ONA Board of Directors and ONA Providence St. Vincent Bargaining Team

Caroline Allison, RN, ONA Providence Medford Bargaining Team

Denise Arnold, RN, ONA Providence Newberg Bargaining Team

Anne Tan Piazza, Executive Director, Oregon Nurses Association

WHY: Nurses are demanding Providence give them a fair contract that is in compliance with Oregon’s Safe Staffing law and prioritizes affordable, quality healthcare. Nurses are also demanding that Providence executives increase their focus on recruiting, retaining, and respecting frontline nurses. Despite four days of negotiations, an agreement was not reached and nurses issued a 10-day notice for a 3-day strike. 

Last month, nurses from six facilities across the state of Oregon voted overwhelmingly to authorize their bargaining units call for strikes if necessary. Three of the bargaining units have been at the table for more than eight months. All six bargaining units are working under expired contracts.  

The mediation occurred the same week ONA wrote a letter to the Oregon Health Authority, stating that hospitals across the state, including Providence, are “engaged in a coordinated attempt to undermine the law, flagrantly ignore the law's provisions, and thereby worsen patient care and working conditions for nurses."   

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of 20,000 nurses, and health care professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses, and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.