Providence informs mediators more hospitals are ready to discuss negotiations

January 13, 2025
NEWS RELEASE

Providence tells mediators six of eight hospitals ready to begin scheduling negotiations

Providence today provided an update to federal mediators that six of our hospital ministries are now in a position to discuss resuming mediated negotiations with Oregon Nurses Association teams. 

Our hospitals’ advance preparation – including recruiting and orienting qualified temporary replacement nurses, along with the unprecedented number of ONA-represented nurses who have chosen to work – has allowed us to free up our negotiation teams at Providence Hood River, Providence Medford, Providence Milwaukie, Providence Newberg, Providence Seaside and Providence Willamette Falls. 

We expect to have information on our teams’ availability to resume negotiations soon at our two largest medical centers, Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent. These tertiary hospitals treat the patients with the most acute conditions and complex needs. For those reasons, those two sites still require extra focus from their leadership teams.

Providence has already been prepared to negotiate with the hospitalist physicians at Providence St. Vincent during the strike. We’ve also negotiated with the two units – nurses and physicians/providers – at Providence Women’s Clinic.  

More than 600 ONA-represented nurses have chosen to work – a rate that is nearly 400% higher than in previous strikes.

Once again, Providence ministries are grateful for all those who have supported our planning and preparation, which ensures our ability to provide safe, high-quality care.