USA: Striking nurses, Providence have yet to meet or schedule talks since vote to reject contract

Negotiators for Providence and its striking nurses have not met since the two sides reached an ill-fated agreement a week ago, and they have no meetings on the books.

Nearly 5,000 nurses at all eight Providence hospitals in Oregon last week rejected a tentative agreement reached between the health system and their labor union, the Oregon Nurses Association, extending a strike that began 10 January 2025 and is now in its fifth week.

The rejected deal included wage increases, a one-hour penalty pay for missed meals and breaks, and provisions intended to codify language from a state hospital staffing law. It also offered a ratification bonus based on hours worked since a nurse’s last contract expired instead of retroactive pay raises.

Nurses had criticized the deal, arguing that it failed to adequately address chronic understaffing, patient safety concerns and demands for fair wages and benefits. Nurses also raised frustrations over their health benefits, citing difficulties accessing regular providers after Providence switched to Aetna for employee health plans this year.

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Source: The Oregonian, 12 February 2025