(Portland, Ore.) - Members of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) will continue their picket at six Providence facilities across Oregon in response to Providence’s unlawful lockout of nurses after their three-day strike. The picketing will take place beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, June 21 and again at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.

The picket follows a three-day strike by ONA-represented nurses which aimed to address unfair labor practices, including disputes over healthcare benefits and staffing. ONA had provided a legally required 10-day Strike Notice to Providence on June 7, indicating that nurses would unconditionally offer to return to work at 6 a.m. on Friday, June 21. However, Providence announced that it would only welcome nurses back to their regular shifts starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 23.

In their Strike Notice, ONA warned that if Providence locked out, refused to reinstate, or delayed the reinstatement of nurses, picketing would continue. Given Providence’s refusal to reinstate the nurses, ONA will picket until nurses are back on their regular schedules.

Providence’s selective and delayed return of some employees constitutes an unlawful partial lockout, violating the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). ONA is filing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge today and will also seek backpay for all affected nurses.

ONA stands in solidarity with all nurses and supports their federal right to honor the picket line in the face of Providence’s actions. ONA will vigorously defend any nurse who chooses not to cross the picket line.

FAQ

Why is this an “illegal lockout?”

This is illegal because ONA gave notice that nurses would return to work at 6 a.m. on Friday, June 21st. Our nurses have a right to return, and the employer has to immediately reinstate them by law. Providence is refusing to do that, and that is illegal.

Providence does NOT get to have it both ways.

We are going to continue to picket.

ONA-represented nurses are encouraged to not cross the picket line and we will vigorously defend any nurse who chooses not to cross the picket line.

What happens if an ONA nurse decides to return to work?

Nothing. Nurses have the right to return to work if they choose. 

Nurses also have the federally protected right to not cross the picket line and ONA will vigorously defend any nurse who makes that decision.

What are you hearing from the nurses?

Many ONA nurses don’t want to go back to work while their colleagues are locked out, and others are uncomfortable about working alongside the strikebreaker nurses Providence brought in for strike coverage.

Nurses are also increasingly frustrated with Providence’s lack of clarity and poor communication, leading to confusion among the nurses.

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