PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Seven hundred OHSU health care workers, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to authorize a strike as contract talks stall.
It comes after strikes at both Kaiser Permanente and Providence this year.
Workers at OHSU say their current workload is unsustainable and they want better pay.
OHSU says it offered salary increases and limits on maximum work hours in its latest offer.
“All designed to provide equitable, market-driven support for this vital team,” it said in part in a statement. “OHSU remains committed to addressing APU’s priorities and will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a fair agreement.”
On Thursday, health care workers represented by the union came out to rally in front of McKenzie Hall at the university.
A member of the union said the negotiations have gone on for months.
Some are worried about financially preparing for a potential strike.
“People are really worried about the idea of striking, because people are in such financially precarious positions right now,” said Angelo Bologna, a physical therapist at OHSU. “People are worried that the longer the contract drags on, the more they are losing money from their contract. People are worried that they’re one medical bill away from not being able to pay for their car, not being able to get to work, so all of that also represents like how the contract that we have from OHSU is not serving people enough for the level of inflation, the level of costs that everyone has faced nationally and here locally.”
If the workers decide to strike, they will OHSU 10 days of notice.
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The union says the workers, known as Advanced Practice Providers, include physician associates, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives.