PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — About 1800 Oregon nurses went on strike at Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Seaside Hospital and Providence Home Health and Hospice at 5:30 a.m. Monday.
Providence officials prepared for the planned 5-day strike by nurses by securing a “replacement workforce” to take care of patients at their affected facilities. They said the first day of the strike “has gone very smoothly – as expected.”
In a statement, Providence Central Division Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Gentry said the transition to their “replacement workforce has been completed.” She added she was confident in their capabilities to take care of all the patients affected.
![Buttons at the Providence nurses strike saying "I [green heart] Nurses"](https://www.koin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/providence-nurses-strike-06192023.jpg?w=772)
![Handmade signs hung in a window that read "We [pink heart] RNs"](https://www.koin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/snapshot-72.jpg?w=1421)
Providence leaders told KOIN 6 News the hospital will remain open and staffed while they reassign other employees and bring in traveling nurses, but those going on strike say there will still be a noticeable difference.
But two of the affected facilities reduced their patient volume: Providence Portland by 25% and Providence Seaside by 50%.
Emergency rooms are still accepting walk-ins; however, some ambulances have been and may be diverted elsewhere at times, officials said — noting many elective surgeries have been canceled and some patients have been transferred elsewhere.
Previous KOIN coverage: Providence nurses contract talks
The two sides have been negotiating a new contract for months. The main issues include pay and working conditions – such as relief workers for when nurses go on a break so that nurses will no longer have to double up their patient load.
Better health care, vacation and sick time are also part of the contract negotiations.
As for the negotiations, the previous offers from Providence to the striking nurses is “no longer” available, Providence officials said. They said they’ve sent options for bargaining dates to the striking ONA but have not yet heard back.
Administrators say Providence will not negotiate while the strike is underway.
Once the strike ends, Gentry said, “we’re looking forward to getting back to the table and continuing negotiations for a contract.”