Oregon lawmakers to Providence, strikers: Get a deal

Published 5:00 am Monday, January 27, 2025

As the strike by Providence nurses and doctors enters its third week, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation urged both sides to get back to the bargaining table and work out a deal.

“We call on both parties to bring this commitment to justice to the bargaining table, to actively engage in bargaining all contracts, and to offer and negotiate proposals that meaningfully address caregiver concerns about wages, working conditions, and staffing,” said the open letter sent on Jan. 24 by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Maxine Dexter Janelle Bynum plus Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. “On behalf of the millions of Oregonians we represent, it is our sincere hope that ONA and Providence negotiate contracts in good faith as swiftly as possible.”

These federal lawmakers also said they “have spoken directly with these caregivers and with Providence leadership … and continue to call on you to act with haste to come to an agreement that values the health care providers who care for patients in the Providence system.”

The striking Oregon Nurses Association members took to the picket line on January 10.

KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Portland Tribune. Their full story can be found at koin.com.