PORTLAND, Oregon — After an extended strike lasting 26 days, Providence and the nurses from its eight hospitals across Oregon have come to a tentative agreement. This strike, noted by the state’s nurses union as the largest health care strike in Oregon’s history, involved a significant number of participants. Out of the approximately 5,000 strikers, most were nurses, though several doctors at a hospital in Portland and numerous staff from women’s health clinics also joined in the action.
The labor dispute arose after over a year of negotiations, which failed to yield an agreeable solution regarding issues such as wages, benefits, and staffing ratios. The union representing the nurses highlighted that the tentative agreement contains important provisions, including wage increases and guaranteed penalty pay for missed breaks or meals, as shared in a statement by the Oregon Nurses Association.
The breakthrough in negotiations followed a week of in-person mediation initiated by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Votes to ratify the agreement are set to commence on Thursday; however, nurses will continue their strike until the agreement is officially confirmed. Should the agreement receive ratification, the striking nurses will return to their duties.
In a statement, the Providence hospital system expressed its appreciation for the collective efforts made during the negotiation process and acknowledged the contributions of personnel who continued to work amid the strike. To maintain patient care, Providence had brought in approximately 2,000 temporary nurses to address the needs of hospital patients during the disruption.
The Oregon Nurses Association has indicated that it will refrain from additional comments until after the ratification voting concludes. Additionally, Providence is still engaged in discussions with doctors at Providence St. Vincent in Portland. In a related development, medical staff at women’s health clinics have successfully ratified their own tentative agreement and are expected to resume work on Thursday.
