More than 3,000 nurses at 6 Oregon medicalfacilities invested a 2nd day on the picket lines Wednesday bring indications that state, “Patients over earnings” and “We’re out to makesure it’s safe in there,” as they continued to need reasonable salaries and muchbetter staffing levels.
Nurses are striking at 6 Providence medical centers throughout the state — from St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland in the north down to the Medford Medical Center in the south.
Organizers state it’s the biggest nurses strike in the state’s history, while Providence stressed that no client’s health is being put at threat, because it has workedwith agreement employees to momentarily fill the space.
Scott Palmer, chief of personnel with the Oregon Nurses Association, stated nurses haveactually been in settlements because December however they “have not been able to get Providence to come to a reasonable agreement.”
Palmer stated the focus of settlements is on “recruitment and retention concerns,” consistingof incomes, advantages and adequate staffing requirements.
Jennifer Gentry, chief nursing officer for Providence’s Central Division, stated the company contracted with a business to offer replacement employees to makesure client care