Providence Fails to Reach Agreement with Caregivers as Possible Strike Looms

Portland, Oregon- Expedited mediation between Providence Health & Services and nearly 5,000 frontline healthcare workers represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) concluded on December 20, 2024, without an agreement. This outcome follows five days of intensive negotiations aimed at resolving longstanding disputes over staffing levels, patient safety, and compensation at 11 hospitals and clinics across Oregon. This includes some staff at Providence Medford Medical Center (PMMC).

The conclusion of mediation marks the beginning of a five-day “cooling-off” period, which prevents either party from issuing a strike notice until December 26, 2024. Negotiations are expected to resume, but if an agreement is not reached, ONA has indicated that it may issue a 10-day strike notice.

For some units, the negotiations have spanned over 15 months, with healthcare workers citing Providence’s refusal to address core issues as a barrier to progress. The ONA has repeatedly emphasized the importance of competitive wages, compliance with Oregon’s staffing laws, and adequate resources to ensure patient safety.

“The members of ONA have been clear. We are ready to bargain for a fair contract at any time,” an ONA representative stated. “If Providence is unwilling to address the serious concerns of our members, we will go on strike.”

The unresolved negotiations affect a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physician associates, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners at facilities such as Providence Portland, Seaside, St. Vincent, and others across the state. Physicians and advanced practice providers at Providence St. Vincent, represented by the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association (PNWHMA), are also involved in the process.

Providence Health & Services has faced criticism for its stance, with ONA accusing the organization of neglecting its obligations to healthcare workers and the communities they serve. ONA asserts that its proposals aim to improve patient care and create a sustainable working environment for caregivers.

The next steps in the negotiation process remain uncertain, but the possibility of a strike looms if the parties fail to resolve their differences by the end of the cooling-off period.