Historic Providence Nurse Strike Intensifies as Mediation Dates Disputed

Medford, Oregon- The largest nurse strike in Oregon history continues as both Providence Health & Services and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) clash over the scheduling of federally mediated negotiations. The conflict escalated following the cancellation of a planned bargaining session, with both sides exchanging accusations.

Providence Health & Services issued the following statement on their ongoing negotiation plans: “Providence has offered four dates for mediated sessions to union representatives, starting on July 10. As we have learned in previous negotiations, the presence of a federal mediator helps both sides get to agreements. In a post-strike scenario, bargaining with the help of mediators is standard practice. Providence hopes union representatives will accept these dates and focus on getting a tentative contract agreement for our nurses to ratify.”

However, the ONA expressed frustration over the abrupt cancellation of the bargaining session initially set for June 24. This session was intended to include a federal mediator, but when no mediator was available, ONA nurses proposed meeting with Providence Medford executives regardless, aiming to expedite the negotiation process.

According to an email sent to ONA representatives on June 21, Providence declined to proceed without a mediator, opting instead to reschedule for mid to late July. This decision was met with criticism from ONA.

“Providence has consistently accused ONA of canceling bargaining dates in the press, but here we see Providence doing the same thing they accuse nurses of doing,” said ONA Chief of Staff Scott Palmer. “Our nurses engaged in a good faith effort to continue working towards a resolution and a fair contract, but Providence said no.”

In the midst of the dispute, hundreds of nurses and their supporters have maintained a presence outside Providence Medford Medical Center for the past five days, rallying for fair treatment and improved working conditions. ONA says that despite the challenges posed by the recent three-day strike and an two-day lockout, nurses have expressed readiness to return to negotiations in good faith.

The ONA reiterated its commitment to achieving a fair contract and indicated that they would respond to Providence’s proposed July dates after assessing their bargaining team’s availability.

As both sides remain at an impasse, the continuation of this historic strike underscores the critical need for resolution and the significant impact on the healthcare community in Oregon.