After 46 days on the picket lines, thousands of nurses at Providence hospitals across Oregon have voted to approve a new contract, officially bringing an end to one of the largest health care labor actions in the state’s history. The deal comes after intense negotiations between the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and Providence officials, addressing key demands such as wage increases, retroactive pay, and safer staffing ratios.
A Hard-Fought Agreement
The strike began in early January, with nurses across eight Providence hospitals walking out indefinitely. Frustrated over stalled contract negotiations, they demanded higher pay, better benefits, and improvements to working conditions. Despite previous attempts at resolution, the standoff continued for weeks, leaving hospitals scrambling to maintain patient care with temporary staffing.
Providence officials acknowledged the difficulties of the past six weeks but expressed optimism following the agreement. “We recognize the challenges faced over the past six weeks and are proud of these agreements that address issues the union bargaining teams identified as priorities during negotiations,” the hospital system said in a statement.
For many nurses, the most critical win was securing retroactive pay. Under the new deal, those with contracts that expired before December 2024 will receive backpay for 75% of the hours worked and paid time off since the expiration date. Previously, the lack of retroactive pay had been a major sticking point that led to the rejection of an earlier agreement.
Significant Pay Raises Secured
One of the biggest victories in the agreement is a substantial wage increase. The contract guarantees salary hikes ranging from 20% to 42% over the next three years. More immediately, nurses will see a raise of 16% to 22%, a crucial factor in offsetting inflation and the rising cost of living.
ONA members had argued that Providence’s initial offer did not do enough to keep up with wage trends in the industry. The rejected proposal earlier this month had included a pay bump and a one-time bonus but lacked the retroactive pay component that many nurses viewed as non-negotiable.
The new agreement ensures that Providence nurses are more competitively compensated, something union leaders say will help with both retention and recruitment.
Strengthening Staffing Standards
Beyond wages, the agreement also addresses the implementation of Oregon’s new nurse staffing law, which requires hospitals to maintain minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Nurses had voiced concerns that Providence was using the law’s minimum requirements as a staffing ceiling, rather than a baseline for safe care.
Under the revised contract, patient acuity—how sick a patient is—will now play a role in staffing levels. The nurses’ union stressed that this adjustment is essential to preventing burnout and ensuring quality patient care.
In the past, nurses have reported feeling overworked and stretched too thin, particularly when caring for patients with severe medical needs. The new contract mandates a more flexible staffing plan, which nurses believe will lead to safer conditions for both patients and providers.
Avoiding a Coverage Crisis
The timing of the deal was particularly crucial given Providence’s recent warning that striking nurses could lose their health insurance by the end of February if no agreement was reached. For many, this added pressure heightened the urgency of securing a contract that met their core demands.
Had the strike continued beyond this deadline, nurses would have faced not only financial strain but also the risk of losing access to their own medical care. With the deal finalized, the union confirmed that nurses will return to work starting Wednesday night.
A Second Attempt at Resolution
This contract marks the second attempt to end the strike after nurses overwhelmingly rejected the first proposal earlier this month. That initial offer included wage increases and a bonus but failed to deliver on the retroactive pay nurses demanded. The rejection sent both sides back to the bargaining table, ultimately leading to a stronger contract that won majority approval.
For Providence, the strike represented a significant operational challenge. Temporary staffing costs soared, and patient care concerns mounted as hospitals scrambled to maintain services. For the nurses, it was a battle for fair compensation and safer working conditions—one they say was worth the fight.
While this agreement ends the immediate standoff, its impact will be felt long after nurses return to their shifts. With higher wages, retroactive pay, and better staffing provisions in place, the union sees this as a win—not just for its members but for the future of health care in Oregon.
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