About 135 medical professionals at Legacy Health say they will begin an open-ended strike on Dec. 2, after more than a year and a half of stalled contract talks.
The workers — a group of advanced practice providers including nurse practitioners, physician associates and clinical nurse specialists — work across Legacy’s hospitals and clinics in Oregon and southwest Washington. They provide a wide range of frontline care, from primary care visits to specialty services.
Officials with the Oregon Nurses Association, the union that represents the workers, said the move comes after the workers voted overwhelmingly last month to authorize a strike. The workers have been trying to negotiate a new contract since they unionized in late 2023.
Union leaders say that after the October vote, workers met with Legacy management seven times, but Legacy’s legal team later walked away from talks and said it wouldn’t consider any more proposals. They said the workers have continued to offer bargaining dates and are committed to reaching an agreement and avoiding a strike.
The workers formally notified Legacy management of their plans to strike Thursday evening, according to union officials. Health workers are required to give 10 days notice before beginning a strike.
Union leaders said the dispute centers on pay, workload and the amount of unpaid administrative work they’re expected to complete.
The advanced practice providers spend many hours outside their scheduled shifts on administrative and nonclinical work that often goes unpaid, union officials said. That, they said, has led to burnout, higher turnover and growing difficulty keeping clinics fully staffed.
Legacy officials did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
This post will be updated.
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