Providence Medford is given notice by ONA to strike

Dec. 30, 2024

A statement from Chris Pizzi, Chief Executive, Providence Southern Oregon Service Area:

Today, our bargaining teams received 10-day notices from Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) detailing plans to hold strikes at all eight Providence Oregon hospitals. This includes Providence Medford.

The work stoppages will begin at 6 a. m., Friday, Jan. 10.

Since late summer ONA has been forecasting and planning for this large strike in January. It takes two sides to reach agreements.

Our teams were fully committed to finding solutions. Unfortunately, the union was less willing to compromise to find some middle ground. We also know ONA’s own communications have prioritized striking and “increased power.” Drawing out these negotiations seems to be a strategy to synchronize strikes across multiple hospitals, rather than reaching a timely and beneficial resolution for our nurses here at Providence Medford. We had multiple conflicting signals from union negotiators and teams in response to our proposals, when they responded at all.

Providence Medford currently has a proposal in ONA’s court. Instead of returning a counter proposal, union leaders have chosen to strike.

We have a competitive offer on the table, including double-digit pay increases for hospital nurses in the first year representing an average of $20,000 for each full-time nurse. The proposal increases up to $5,000 ratification bonuses for nurses. There is staffing language in the contract that takes acuity into account (on top of our commitment to follow Oregon’s staffing law). We have addressed other concerns brought to us and included other incentives in the contract.

But, instead of working toward a solution, union leaders have resorted to another strike that will delay resolution.  

Once again, our leadership teams’ attention will turn to caring for our community during this work stoppage. We have been transparent with union leaders that in the event of a work stoppage, bargaining stops to support our priority of ensuring we continue to provide excellent patient care. 

So, to meet our commitments to our communities, we’ve secured replacement workers and identified other strategies to help us care for our patients. Those represented caregivers who wish to come to work and not strike will be welcomed to help.