Oregon – With more than 4,000 nurses and other healthcare professionals poised to go out on January 10, Oregon is about to see the biggest health care strike in its history. Following unresolved concerns about wage increases and working conditions, the walkout will cover Providence Health’s eight hospitals and clinics spread around the state.
Announced by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), this approaching strike is expected given Providence’s policy of not participating in further negotiations after a strike notification was sent. Given years of labor-management conflicts, this decision could seriously affect patient care throughout Oregon’s biggest health system.
The main point of dispute is Providence’s pay and working policies. The ONA claims that Providence’s most recent contract proposals are not competitive, particularly in light of those from rival health systems including Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
In a recent statement, Providence said their suggested rises would result in a 20% compensation boost throughout the lifetime of the contracts for the average full-time acute care nurse, with a significant increase in the first year. The union has objected to these numbers, calling them inadequate and deceptive, though.
Read also: Oregon experiences its worst whooping cough outbreak since 1950, with over 1,100 cases reported
Emphasizing the necessity of greater staffing, health benefits, and paid time off—which they say trail behind other health systems—the union has also addressed questions outside of compensation. Furthermore, they look for assurances against outsourcing employment, which is increasingly important at Providence.
Unlike previous strikes, which usually lasted only a few days, this one has an open-ended character. Union officials claim that this approach is meant to drive for a complete systemwide settlement. Doctors will also be involved; Providence St. Vincent’s advanced practice providers and doctors are anticipated to accompany the nurses on the picket lines.
Read also: Public Utilities Commission approves significant rate increases for Pacific Power and PGE customers
The prospective strike also raises concerns regarding patient care. Providence officials have said past strikes have been disruptive, and the open-ended character of the forthcoming strike makes hiring replacement employees more difficult. Although historically some unions let medical professionals cross picket lines to guarantee patient safety during strikes, this is not likely to occur in Oregon. A national nursing group’s recent ethical recommendations were supposed to contain clauses allowing for patient care during strikes, but the ONA objected saying the employer should bear more responsibility.
The duration of the strike remains uncertain. Providence’s refusal to negotiate during a strike and the union members qualified for hardship compensation to help offset wage losses make the financial viability for striking workers questionable. Although the union thinks they may last somewhat longer, health advantages offered by Providence might expire by the end of January.
The union expects that as the strike date draws near Providence will be brought to the negotiation table with stronger proposals not only for competitive compensation but also for better general working conditions that either match or surpass those of other top health systems.
As the union emphasizes, the unity among Providence’s healthcare employees seeks to level the playing field against healthcare CEOs, therefore changing the emphasis from financial results to patient and worker welfare.
