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One week after doctors and health professionals at six Providence St. Vincent Medical Center women’s clinics announced strike action, about 1,800 nurses have followed suit, marking the second time this year that Providence nurses have opted to go on strike.
No strike date has been set because, under federal labor laws, 10 days’ notice must be given before walking off the job.
To address chronic understaffing, a spokesperson for the Oregon Nurses Association that represents nursing staff says the primary demands are for new minimum staffing rules.
Doctors, Nurses, and Health Professionals Could Take to Picket Lines At the Same Time
Peter Starzynski confirmed the likelihood that Providence nurses, doctors, and other health professionals could decide to go on strike simultaneously.
He says the latest vote authorizing a strike will allow the bargaining team to decide on the date and duration of the strike.
The Oregon Nurses Association has been in negotiations with Providence for better wages, staff procedures, scheduling practices, and health benefits since September 2023.
Unions Put ‘Power Before Patients” Says Providence
Replying to the strike action, Providence blames union leaders for putting ‘power before patients,’ adding that a strike will jeopardize the health care of thousands of patients as other Providence hospitals in the region cannot suddenly find the capacity to admit 400 patients.
Providence says together with union members, it is working to negotiate a contract with the help of federal mediators.
Not the First Strike Action Providence Has Recently Faced
This is not the first strike action Providence has faced in recent months.
More than 3,000 nurses took to the picket line during a three-day strike in June at six hospitals statewide because of pay issues and understaffing. Nurses returned to work without a new contract.
Last year, 1,300 Providence Portland Medical Center nurses went on strike for five days. It took weeks to reach an agreement on wage increases of up to 26% over two years. Negotiators also clinched additional paid time off and a commitment by the Providence Portland Medical Center to comply with Oregon’s staffing laws.
Today, staffing contracts at all six Providence hospitals and nurses remain expired. The two parties have yet to reach an agreement on wages, staffing, and benefits.
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