After 26 days of striking, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and Providence Health have finally come to a tentative agreement, affecting all eight Providence hospitals in Oregon. The nurses, who had been on strike since early January, are still on strike but are expected to return to work if the deal is approved by the members.
Details of the Agreement
The tentative agreement was reached after intensive negotiations, which included mediation at the request of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. The negotiations involved tough discussions over pay, benefits, staffing, and working conditions. Both sides came together after days of intense talks and agreed on terms that aim to improve conditions for the nurses and their patients.
Under the new deal, nurses will get annual step increases starting in 2026, with a new Step 30 added to the pay structure. This means that nurses will see increases in their pay every year as they continue to work at Providence, with more steps added to their pay scale for advancement. Additionally, the nurses will receive a wage increase across the board over the course of the contract.
One key part of the deal is a ratification bonus. While nurses were not able to get retroactive pay for the time they were on strike, a portion of that lost pay will be given to them as a bonus, based on the number of hours worked since their contract expired.
Support for Nurses and New Benefits
Nurses will also benefit from better break and meal penalty pay. If a nurse is unable to take their scheduled break or meal, they will automatically receive one hour of penalty pay. This is an important change, as it ensures that nurses are compensated for the time they missed out on their breaks.
Another significant change is the creation of a statewide health benefits workgroup. This group will be responsible for evaluating and recommending improvements to health benefits for workers in Oregon, including the feasibility of a statewide health benefits trust, which could provide better coverage for nurses and other healthcare workers.
Ongoing Talks and Expected Returns
While the deal has been reached with most of the nurses involved, negotiations are still continuing with hospitalists at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. However, Providence officials expect physicians, providers, and nurses to return to work starting Thursday, once the ratification vote takes place.
The vote on the agreement will begin Thursday at 8 a.m. and will close by Friday at 4 p.m. The voting hours for Providence Medford will extend until Saturday due to weather concerns. Once the vote concludes and the deal is ratified, nurses are expected to return to their shifts as scheduled.
What Happens Next?
If the nurses vote to approve the agreement, it will end the strike that has affected thousands of patients across Oregon. However, the new contract will not change the expiration dates of current contracts at Providence’s hospitals. Nurses are looking forward to the improvements, and Providence officials are optimistic that the resolution will restore normal operations at the hospitals.
The Bigger Picture
The agreement highlights the importance of fair pay and working conditions for healthcare workers, especially in times of high demand and pressure. It also shows the impact of strong union representation in negotiating for better benefits and support for workers.
For now, the nurses continue their strike, awaiting the vote outcome. Both the ONA and Providence have expressed relief at reaching an agreement, with hopes that this deal will bring stability and peace back to the healthcare environment in Oregon.
(Source: kptv.com)