Medford, Oregon- Hundreds of nurses from six Oregon Providence hospitals walked out of work early Tuesday morning, commencing a three-day strike aimed at securing a fair contract. The strike, which began at 6 a.m., quickly took on a festive atmosphere as participants danced and sang while enjoying donuts and coffee.
Organizers say the strike saw a large turnout at each of the six locations, with thousands of nurses joined by friends, family, community allies, and fellow union members. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) said that despite the challenges faced in initiating the strike—such as completing handoff forms manually, being released in staggered groups, and navigating through fencing erected by Providence—the nurses remained in high spirits. At Providence Willamette Falls, one nurse excitedly remarked to a colleague, “There’s nothing I’d rather do on my birthday than fight for a fair contract.”
The mood throughout the day was overwhelmingly positive, bolstered by the constant support from passing drivers honking their horns and community members dropping off snacks and offering well wishes. “It’s so encouraging and I feel so supported by my colleagues and the community,” said Lisa Gregory, RN, a member of the Providence St. Vincent bargaining team. “But honestly, we’d all rather be inside caring for our patients.”
In a message to patients, the striking nurses emphasized the importance of seeking necessary medical care despite the ongoing strike. They reassured the community, stating, “If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care! Patients should seek hospital care immediately if they need it. We would rather be the ones providing that care, but Providence management have forced our hand and we find ourselves on the picket line advocating for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you’ve gotten the care you need.”
As the strike continues, ONA says they remain committed to their cause, advocating for better conditions for themselves and their patients, and hoping for a swift resolution that allows them to return to the work they love.
ONA says picket lines will be maintained at Providence Medford Medical Center (1111 Crater Lake Ave) from Tuesday, June 18 –Thursday, June 20 from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Source: ONA
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