Strike over: Providence nurses ‘overwhelmingly' ratify deal
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The strike by nearly 5000 nurses at 8 Providence hospitals around the state of Oregon is over after the reached last Friday.
The nurses voted overwhelmingly to ratify the deal and end the 46-day strike, the Oregon Nurses Association said in a release.
The new contract is 'a major victory' for caregivers, Providence patients and the communities throughout Oregon, said nurse Virginia Smith, a leader on the ONA bargaining unit.
'As RNs, we believe that these contracts will lead to greater recruitment and retention of frontline nurses as wages become more aligned with other health systems, and we have staffing language that will allow us to spend more time with the patients that need the most care,' Smith said in a statement.
Nurses will return to work beginning with the night shift at their specific hospital — — Providence St. Vincent, Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Medford Medical Center, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls, Providence Milwaukie, Providence Hood River and Providence Seaside — on Wednesday night.
The two days of voting on the deal began Saturday afternoon. Union officials released the tally shortly after voting concluded at 4 p.m. Monday.
On Friday afternoon, the company announced that both parties' bargaining teams tentatively agreed on a contract after three days of 'intensive bargaining facilitated by federal mediators.'
When the Oregon Nurses Association launched its walkout on , striking nurses claimed they were advocating for terms like smaller caseloads, increased paid time off and affordable health care.
The labor organization reported nurses will see wage increases ranging from 20% to 42% throughout the span of the contract, and an immediate hike between 16% and 22%. ONA said the tentative agreement also includes 'penalty pay' for when nurses miss a break or meal, and new health benefits to ensure 'comprehensive courage' for staff.
'These hard-won agreements reflect the dedication and determination of ONA nurses who stood strong in their fight for fair treatment, safe working conditions and better healthcare for their communities,' ONA said in a release.Providence initially reached a tentative deal with bargaining units in early February, but it was later . ONA said the offer failed to adequately address workers' grievances.
The following week, Providence that they would no longer have access to health care if the strike continued through Feb. 28.
'Providence is hopeful that ONA-represented nurses will ratify the tentative agreements that pave a solid path forward for us all,' Providence Oregon CEO Jennifer Burrows said in a statement on Friday. 'Together, we look forward to continuing to provide excellent and compassionate care for our patients in these communities we serve.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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