Nearly 5,000 Front Line Caregivers employed at seven hospitals and six clinics across the State of Oregon, who are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association - both American Federation of Teachers (AFT) affiliates, have authorized Strikes because Providence executives have refused to offer a fair contract that improves patient care, raises staffing standards and creates a competitive compensation package to recruit and retain more Staff.  The multiple Bargaining Units are negotiating nine separate agreements that have expired or will expire as soon as year-end.  If all locations staged simultaneous walkouts, it would be one of the largest Strikes by Health Care Workers in Oregon History.  “We’ve hit the breaking point,” said Dr. Charlie Saltalamacchia, who works at Providence Women's Clinic. “The idea of a Strike and not being there for patients is an upsetting thing, but we’re in desperate times and measures territory.  Our biggest priority is making sure we can exert our lawful negotiating leverage without compromising patient safety.”

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Nearly 5,000 Providence Nurses, Doctors, and other Healthcare Professionals Authorize Strikes - Oregon Nurses Association