Editors Note: Medford Alert has never taken any advertising funds or any other forms of payment from the Oregon Nurses Association or Providence Health System. We have always tried to keep the highest integrity in our reporting and we strongly believe that monetizing either side would be counterproductive in our mission to provide transparency and neutrality in our reporting.
Medford, Oregon- Negotiations between the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and Providence Health & Services remain unresolved following the end of the federally mandated “cooling-off period” at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, December 26. While no formal strike notice has been issued, ONA members are now authorized to deliver a 10-day strike notice at any time.
If called, the strike could mark the largest healthcare strike in Oregon history and the first involving doctors. Nearly 5,000 caregivers, including registered nurses (RNs), doctors, nurse practitioners, and certified midwives from eight hospitals and six clinics across Oregon, are prepared to take action if their demands for improvements in staffing, patient safety, and health insurance remain unmet.
Key Issues and Negotiation Status
ONA has expressed frustration with Providence Health’s alleged lack of responsiveness to caregivers’ concerns, some of which have been outstanding for over 15 months. Providence’s assertion that issuing a strike notice would be “premature” contrasts with ONA’s position that the bargaining delays and inadequate proposals have left caregivers with little choice but to prepare for a strike.
The union emphasizes its willingness to continue negotiating during the 10-day strike notice period and even during a strike, while criticizing Providence for historically refusing to bargain under such circumstances.
Affected Facilities
The scope of the dispute includes several major facilities, each with varying contract statuses and bargaining histories:
• Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital: 140 RNs, without a contract since March 31, 2024.
• Providence Medford Medical Center: 380 RNs, without a contract since March 24, 2024.
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital: 250 RNs, without a contract since May 31, 2024.
• Providence Newberg Medical Center: 220 RNs, contract expiring December 31, 2024.
• Providence Portland Medical Center: 1,510 RNs, contract expiring December 31, 2024.
• Providence Seaside Hospital: 115 RNs, contract expiring December 31, 2024.
• Providence St. Vincent Medical Center: 1,875 RNs, without a contract since December 31, 2023, and 70 doctors and nurse practitioners working on their first contract since unionizing in August 2023.
• Providence Women’s Clinic: 80 clinicians, including doctors and midwives, bargaining for their first contract since November 2024.
• Willamette Falls Medical Center: 340 RNs, without a contract since December 31, 2023.
Potential Impact
The strike would disrupt operations at key medical facilities across the state, potentially affecting patient care and access to services. Caregivers, however, argue that the action is necessary to address chronic understaffing and inadequate workplace protections that they say compromise patient safety.
Next Steps
ONA has stated it remains committed to securing a fair contract at the bargaining table. However, the likelihood of a strike grows if Providence does not engage in meaningful negotiations. The union and Providence are expected to continue talks in the coming days, but with tensions escalating, both parties face increasing pressure to find a resolution.
This developing story will be updated as further information becomes available.
Source: ONA
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