Background
After eight months of contract negotiations, nurses in Oregon have gone on strike for the first time in more than two decades. The strike is a result of a breakdown in negotiations between the nurses’ union and the healthcare centers. The union is negotiating for higher wages, better healthcare, adequate staffing, and reasonable paid time off.
Impact on Healthcare Centers
The strike impacts three healthcare centers, with the biggest one located in Portland. The nurses’ union representing clinicians at Providence Portland, Providence Seaside, and Providence Home Health and Hospice facilities – which together, have more than 500 patient beds, in and around the Portland area – are calling on leadership to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a new contract.
Why are Nurses Striking?
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents approximately 1,800 nurses who are on strike for higher pay and better working conditions. The ONA released a statement citing its primary concerns as follows:
- An increase in wages to be market competitive
- Comprehensive and reasonably-priced employee healthcare
- Adequate staffing levels
- Reasonable paid time off and sick leave
Market Competitive Wages
The nurses’ union claims that the current compensation for clinic nurses at Providence is incongruent with the market for wage parity. Christy Youngquist, a registered nurse (RN) and Providence Seaside bargaining team member, said that Providence does not offer parity between outpatient and inpatient nurses. In contrast, competitors pay outpatient RNs on the same scale as inpatient nurses. Fair compensation is essential to attract and retain talent in the healthcare industry.
Reasonable Employee Healthcare
Another concern of the nurses’ union is the cost and comprehensiveness of employee health care benefits. The ONA is calling for comprehensive healthcare benefits that are fairly priced. Healthcare is an essential benefit in the healthcare industry and is critical for attracting and retaining talent.
Adequate Staffing Levels
The ONA is calling for adequate staffing levels. Adequate staffing is crucial for ensuring that patients receive quality care and that nurses can work in safe and manageable conditions. The demand for adequate staffing is not limited to Oregon but is a nationwide issue as more healthcare facilities are experiencing staff shortages.
Reasonable Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
The nurses’ union is asking for reasonable paid time off and sick leave. Accessible and reasonable paid time off and sick leave are vital for ensuring that healthcare workers have the opportunity to rest and recover after working long hours and avoiding burnout.
Providence Response to Nurses’ Demands
Providence said it would return to the bargaining table after the strike. Still, it also took measures to accommodate patients during the work stoppage, such as rescheduling elective surgeries and closing neonatal intensive care units. According to a statement from Providence, the healthcare organization offered the three bargaining teams a $35 million combined package for the first year of the three contracts.
The $35 million packaged offered by Providence includes an average wage increase of 12% in the first year at Providence Portland, where 1,300 of the 1,800 striking nurses work. However, the ONA accused Providence of sharing misleading information about the average full-time equivalent salaries for Providence Portland nurses. ONA stated that Providence has been missing the point for decades and the statement released by the healthcare center was a distraction from the actual issues that caregivers and patients face.
Conclusion
The strike by the Oregon Nurses Association will likely impact the healthcare centers and their patients. However, it is essential to prioritize nurses’ well-being and safety while ensuring that they receive market-competitive wages, comprehensive employee healthcare, adequate staffing levels, and reasonable paid time off and sick leave. Healthcare workers are an essential component of the healthcare industry, and providing them with the necessary support and care is crucial for ensuring that patients are safe and receive the best possible care.