Providence St. Vincent Nurses Vote To Authorize Strike

PORTLAND, OR — The approximately 1,600 nurses who work at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center voted to authorize a strike, their union, the Oregon Nurses Association, announced Wednesday night.

The ONA said that while the vote was overwhelming, the nurses won't be walking out the door tomorrow. The ONA's Labor Cabinet has to first call the strike, which will be followed by the union giving the hospital 10 days notice before the strike begins.

"We've worked hard to find common ground but Providence refuses to compromise," ONA's Labor Cabinet chair Kevyn Paul, RN, said. "Nurses won't keep quiet while ou communities get worse and worse care from fewer and fewer nurses."

The union accuses Providence of "illegal unfair labor practices and demand a fair contract to raise nurse staffing standards, improve patient care, make health care more affordable and address Providence's growing staffing crisis."

Providence spokesman Gary Walker said that the union's move "is just the latest attempt to delay meaningful discussion, a move that only serves to prevent our valued nurses from receiving the substantial pay raises and expanded benefits they deserve.

"We are eager to continue the dialogue with ONA as we work tirelessly toward finding a mutually agreeable resolution."