Our bargaining team shares in the collective stress and hope of the nearly 3200 nurses across OHSU tonight.  We all wait for the same moment, when management is ready to finally reach a fair agreement.  We have been in mediation and caucusing for over 85 hours in the last ten days.  The reason we put in these hours is that we take the decision of our membership to authorize a strike very seriously.  If nearly every single nurse is prepared to walk off the job, we are prepared to bargain for as long as it takes.  To shut down the #1 hospital in our state, that cares for all Oregonians and the entire region is a massive action. We have a responsibility to make sure if a deal can still be negotiated, we are always willing to bargain.  

We know that if a deal can't be reached, our membership can and will strike.  However, at this moment, a deal is still possible.  We have agreed to mediate again tomorrow, Sunday 9/24.  And as always, we will update our membership if something can actually be brought to all members for ratification, to review, discuss, and vote on.  We remain hopeful, but are also prepared to call for a strike if we must.

We ask all members to keep wearing your union colors, and continue to stand together and hold the line.

Your AURN Bargaining Team