Providence Nurses Strike More Likely, Contract Overwhelmingly Rejected

BEAVERTON, OR — Nurses overwhelmingly voted a contract with Providence St. Vincent Medical Center on Thursday, making a strike at the hospital more possible, according to their union, the Oregon Nurses Association. The tentative contract, which had been negotiated between the union and management, was rejected by a 4-1 margin, the union said.

The union had recommended that their members approve the deal, which was reached after right months of negotiations.

Nurses who spoke with Patch said that the contract didn't do enough to address their concerns about pay and safety.

Both sides said Thursday that they will now return to the table and try again. A federal mediator will help them reach an agreement, officials on both sides said.

Providence St. Vincent decal Center is Providence's largest in the state and one of three with ongoing labor issues. The others are Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and Providence Milwaukie Hospital. Nurses at the other two are also moving toward a possible strike, union officials said.

While all three hospitals are run by Providence Health & Services, each one has its own contracts with employees.

The union represents around 2,000 nurses at the three hospitals.