Elected Officials Side With Striking APPs, Call Out Legacy (Photo) - 12/18/25
Legacy executives are under fire for refusing to meet and bargain in good faith with frontline healthcare providers.
(Portland, Ore.) – Oregon elected officials are coming out in support of striking advanced practice providers (APPs) and urging Legacy executives to “work around the clock” to reach a fair agreement that addresses healthcare providers’ concerns and ends Oregon’s first APP strike.
The group of 10 Oregon representatives and a state senator shared their concerns in an open letter to Legacy CEO Dr. George Brown Dec. 17 saying:
“Oregonians cannot afford further delays, disruptions or missteps when it comes to their healthcare. Every day without an agreement adds stress to an already-fragile healthcare system. We are calling on Legacy to act responsibly and sit down with APPs immediately to resolve this dispute and ensure local healthcare is accessible, affordable and delivers on Legacy’s mission ...”
Legislators echoed APPs’ concerns about, “deteriorating working conditions, inequitable compensation, unpaid labor and repeated refusals by Legacy to engage in good faith bargaining” and reiterated the need to restore stability and affordability throughout the healthcare system.
The APPs, including nurse practitioners, physician associates and clinical nurse specialists at Legacy hospitals and clinics, began an open-ended strike Dec. 2 after Legacy executives refused to continue contract negotiations. APPs have offered to meet with Legacy executives every day since Nov. 20 in an effort to reach a fair agreement. But Legacy has refused to bargain until recently.
The only bargaining dates currently scheduled are Dec. 18 and 22.
Oregon’s elected leaders aren’t the only ones siding with striking APPs. Recently, two new groups of Legacy providers voted to join the strike. APPs at Legacy Go Health clinics will hold a two-day strike alongside striking hospital and clinic APPs on Dec. 21 and 22. Legacy Pediatric APPs will also hold a solidarity strike with their APP colleagues Dec. 22 and 23.
The expanding strike and support from elected leaders reflects widespread frustration with Legacy’s bargaining approach and with APPs' working conditions systemwide.
APPs at Legacy’s hospitals and clinics have been working for more than a year and a half to try to reach a contract agreement with Legacy executives. They are demanding a fair contract that raises standards for patients, gives frontline providers a voice in their workplace, and stems turnover through competitive compensation.
The 140 (APPs) at Legacy Health are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). ONA represents more than 3,500 frontline healthcare providers at Legacy.
Strike lines are located at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check ONA’s social media feed for the latest schedule updates.
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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