The Providence St. Vincent nurse strike authorization comes on the heels of doctors at St. Vincent authorizing a strike just one week ago.

Oct. 31, 2024 (Portland, Ore.) -For the second time this year, nurses at Providence St. Vincent overwhelmingly gave permission to their bargaining team to call for a strike if necessary. The 1800 Providence St. Vincent nurses are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).

“Providence is failing patients. We are asking for a fair contract to address Providence’s staffing problems and empower nurses to provide the high-quality care our patients deserve. Nurses have been negotiating in good faith since September 2023, but Providence continues to ignore the needs of patients and providers,” said Kathy Keane, RN, and ONA bargaining unit chair for Providence St. Vincent. “We don’t want to strike. But we can’t stand by and let Providence continue to fail our patients and our community. We need real change and a strike may be the only path left to protect our community’s health.”  

Nurses authorized the strike because of Providence’s failure to make necessary investments in its staff and patient care, and unwillingness to follow Oregon’s Hospital Nurse Staffing Law. In June 2024, nurses at St. Vincent and five other Providence hospitals walked off the job for three days. Their strike was followed by a two-day illegal lockout by the employer. It was the largest nurse strike in Oregon’s history.

“Everyone I’ve spoken with gave serious thought to their vote. We love caring for our patients. The last place any of us wants to be is on the strike line,” said Jessica Lobell, RN, and ONA vice chair of the bargaining unit. “But once again we had to make the tough choice, knowing that a fair contract is the only way to benefit our patients and community in the long run.”

Problems continue to mount for Providence as this strike authorization comes on the heels of doctors, physician associates, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinic nurses from Providence Women’s Clinic and Providence St. Vincent Hospital overwhelmingly authorizing their bargaining teams to call for a strike if necessary. The strikes could occur simultaneously.

Once a local Catholic health system, Providence has grown into a national conglomerate with 51 hospitals generating almost $30 billion in annual revenue as one of the ten largest health systems in the United States and the largest in Oregon.

A strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean the nurses will go on strike. They will continue to meet Providence at the bargaining table but now can call a strike if Providence continues to fail to offer them a fair contract that protects patients and frontline caregivers. A federal mediator has been assisting in the negotiations with nurses since June and the next scheduled bargaining date is November 15. Nurses are focused on staffing for stable patient care across the hospital as well as the retention of the most qualified nurses who continue to leave the bedside. Providence is far behind other local health system employers for total paid leave, differentials and healthcare benefits.

If a second strike is called, ONA will give Providence a 10-day notice to allow management adequate time to cease admissions and transfer patients or to reach a fair agreement with nurses and avert a work stoppage.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of 20,000 nurses, and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses, and health care professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all health care professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.