Media Advisory: Nurses At Providence Medford To Hold Solidarity Rally On Nov. 18 (Photo) -11/18/24

Despite ten months of negotiations, nurses who went on strike in June are still working with no contract  

WHAT: Before heading into another mediation session on Tuesday, Nov. 19, frontline nurses who work at Providence Medford will host a solidarity rally to remind the community that they are still working without a contract.  

Nurses are concerned about patient care at Providence Medford and are asking Providence executives to commit to competitive pay and benefits, so they recruit and retain more nurses. Some have reported that just in the last month, Providence Medford has lost about a dozen nurses to other jobs. This is unsustainable and could lead to disastrous outcomes for people in Medford.

The nurses at Providence Medford are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). ONA represents almost 5,000 frontline nurses working in nine Providence Health System facilities from Portland to Medford. Nurses are standing together to raise standards for nurses, patients and communities within Providence--Oregon’s largest health care system and one of the state’s largest corporations.  

WHEN: November 18, 2024  
Rally from 3:30-4:30 p.m.    
Speakers: 4 p.m. 
Times are approximate

WHERE: Providence Medford Medical Center, 1111 Crater Lake Ave., Medford  

WHO: ONA frontline nurses and community supporters. A short program will feature:

• State Rep. Pam Marsh, Dist. 5
• ONA President Tamie Cline, RN
• Bargaining team nurses from Providence Medford

WHY: Since bargaining began in January of 2024, nurses have made progress on lower-priority bargaining topics, but they are frustrated with the disappointing counterproposals Providence has offered for their top issues of safe staffing and competitive pay and benefits. They have made every effort to meet Providence in a place that everyone can agree on and have already made concessions.  

ONA nurses are rallying a day before another round of negotiations to show management that they are united and demanding a fair contract. The focus is on recruitment, retention and respect. The turnover at Providence Medford is high and if a competitive offer is not supplied nurses will continue to leave the facility for hospitals with better pay and benefits.  

Nurses at Providence St. Vincent, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls, and Providence Milwaukie along with hospitalists from Providence St. Vincent and nurses and providers at Providence Women’s Clinic have already authorized strikes. Nurses at Providence Hood River and Providence Portland are in the midst of strike votes and Providence Seaside RNs will open a strike vote later this month.  

Rain or shine, the community is encouraged to attend the rally to show support for the caregivers they rely on.  

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 health care professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all health care professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

###