Jan. 25, 2025 (PORTLAND, Ore.) - Seven members of Oregon's Congressional Delegation have shown their support for striking Providence healthcare workers in many ways. On Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, they issued a letter stating they expect Providence to engage in good faith bargaining. The letter was signed by Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.   
 
Providence is not currently approaching negotiations seriously, offering contracts that do not meet the needs of frontline caregivers and patients throughout Oregon. As reports start to surface about the substandard healthcare offered at Providence hospitals during the strike, Providence must approach negotiations with the urgency this moment requires. 
 
The lawmakers acknowledged the situation's urgency and noted that finding and training replacement workers is costing Providence a significant amount of money. Striking workers have spoken with Oregon's congressional delegation on the line, at rallies and through letters and phone calls.  
 
Nurses, physicians, and advanced practice providers representing 11 Providence bargaining units in Oregon have been on strike since January 10. The strike will end when Providence starts listening to the nearly 5,000 frontline caregivers and acts upon the issues that matter to them most like patient safety, balanced workloads, and competitive wages and benefits.  
 
Community members can visit oregonrn.org/patientsbeforeprofits to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition, and learn how they can support the strike.