Nurses at seven other Providence hospitals in Oregon rejected the latest proposals after voting was tabulated Thursday night
Rogue Valley Times staff report
A majority of some 380 striking nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center have rejected the health care system’s latest contract offer, joining thousands of other nurses around the state who remain on strike going into their fifth week.
It is the largest healthcare worker strike in Oregon history.
Nurses at seven other Providence hospitals in Oregon rejected the latest proposals after voting was tabulated Thursday night. Providence Medford nurses were given extra time to vote because of harsh winter weather in Southern Oregon this past week.
Providence Medford officials did report Saturday that emergency physicians and providers locally had voted to ratify their tentative agreement.
“This first contract covers emergency department physicians, nurse practitioners and physician associates,” an emailed statement said.
Noting local nurses’ rejection of the latest contract proposal, Providence’s statement said, “Providence Medford will explore next steps with federal mediators and the Oregon Nurses Association.”
Neither Providence nor ONA released vote totals for Medford, but The Oregonian reported Friday that ONA tallied the vote at seven statewide hospitals Thursday, and 83% of voting members rejected the proposed contracts with a 92% participation rate.
This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
