Union asks travel nurses not to cross picket line ahead Providence strike

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A week after Providence nurses announced their intent to strike, the hospital system asked the nurse’s union to “choose their words carefully” after the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) sent a letter to their members encouraging all nurses, including travel nurses, not to cross the picket line.

Central Division Chief Nursing Officer at Providence, Jennifer Gentry said, “It’s very disappointing and it’s disheartening, and I think that we need to remember that our words matter, we need to remember that there are implications to those words.”

The letter was sent to ONA members days before a three-day strike planned for more than 3,000 nurses from six different Providence facilities.

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The letter provided by Providence said in part, “Providence is trying to hire strike-break nurses right now. We strongly encourage all nurses to stand in solidarity with these ONA members and not accept travel nurse contracts scheduled to start in June or July for these employers.”

Gentry believes that request could either hurt or deter patients from seeking care at Providence facilities, which is why she’s calling on union leadership to acknowledge Providence’s responsibility to the community.

“This is not a shop floor. These are hospitals, and we have patients, and their lives are in our hands. So, it’s very important that we don’t create a narrative that could impact that negatively,” Gentry said.

On Friday, ONA responded in a statement explaining their call to nurses and other labor unions to honor the strike is “standard practice for all unions engaged in strike actions since the beginning of the American labor movement.”

Gentry responded by saying she respects the nurse’s right to strike but for that to happen safely, Providence has to replace the nurses on strike.

“Whether it’s been said in the past or this is the first time it was said, it has the potential of impacting our ability to [take care of the community,]” Gentry said. “In addition, some of our vendors have come to us about conversations they’ve had with the union asking them not to cross the picket line during the strike. Unfortunately, that could have serious ramifications for those patients that are already with us that are relying on those supplies.

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While ONA did not address the accusation of speaking with Providence vendors in their statement, an ONA spokesperson told FOX 12 ONA is in contact with Teamsters, a union that sometimes represents delivery drivers, but did not specify in what way.

The statement from Providence came on the same day that ONA sent a cease-and-desist letter to the hospital’s CEO demanding the system stop what it calls “a violation of the Oregon Staffing Law.” However, Providence said they are following the law as written.

ONA’s 3-day strike at Providence St. Vincent, Providence Willamette Falls, Providence Newberg, Providence Hood River, Providence Medford and Providence Milwaukie is set to begin on June 18, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.

Providence’s full statement:

In its ongoing efforts to wrest control of Oregon’s entire health care system, Oregon Nurses Association has issued a letter calling on traveling nurses to refuse work at Providence in Oregon during the union’s strikes. The letter, on stationery with the phrase “Caring for Oregon,” would have the effect of stopping care for hundreds of patients in Oregon when the strike begins on Tuesday, June 18.

In addition, vendors of crucial medical equipment have told Providence that ONA is pressuring them to stop deliveries of those lifesaving supplies to Providence hospitals during the work stoppage.

“Our nurses who are union members have the right to strike,” said Jennifer Burrows, RN, chief executive, Providence – Oregon. “Hospitals have an obligation and a commitment to care for our patients and our communities, 24 hours a day. For ONA union leadership to call for actions that could prevent Oregonians from getting emergency care or to disrupt care and choke off supplies for patients already in our hospitals is unprofessional and reckless.”

While claiming to advocate for its members, the union has sent out messages saying its real intent is to “shame” Providence. In a text sent to members last week, the union said, “Our RN bargaining team declared a 3 day strike starting 6/18 @ 6 am with the goal of creating the most cost for Providence – we know that scab contracts last 5 days. RNs will return to work 6/21 at 6am, if Prov chooses to lock us out for 2 days in order to save money, we will shame them in the press.”

Now, by calling on nurses to avoid caring for patients at the bedside during a work stoppage, the union is trying to create an environment where patients’ health is at risk.

Currently, Providence cares for more than 1,100 inpatients every day in its Oregon hospitals. These hospitals provide care ranging from the birth of babies to heart transplants – care that must not be interrupted.

Again, despite the union’s attempts to obstruct Providence’s Mission, all Providence sites will be open to serve our patients and the community on Tuesday, June 18, when the union goes on strike.

ONA’s full statement:

It is the height of irony for Providence to describe the more than 3,000 nurses across the state of Oregon who overwhelmingly supported a three-day strike as “unprofessional and reckless.”

First, if Providence were truly concerned about recklessness and patient safety, they would not have cut off negotiations early and would be at the bargaining table right now, seeking to reach a fair contract and end this strike before it even begins.

Second, ONA has called upon nurses and other labor unions to honor the strike and not cross the picket line; standard practice for all unions engaged in strike actions since the beginning of the American labor movement. That’s why unions are required to give health care employers a 10-day notice, so they have time to make provisions for patient care.

Third, Providence is violating Oregon’s Nurse Safe Staffing Law which could result in unsafe patient assignments for their nurses. That is what has endangered their patients and that is what has prompted ONA to send a Cease and Desist letter to Providence’s President and CEO today demanding Providence “cease its systematic and concerted violation of the Oregon Nurse Staffing Law through its unilateral adoption of staffing plans and its repudiation of the safe patient care standards reflected in many existing staffing plans.” (letter attached)

Fourth, Providence is hemorrhaging nursing staff due to unsafe working conditions, poor wages, terrible health insurance benefits, and their willful violation of state law on staffing ratios. Recruitment and retention are key to ensuring the delivery of quality patient care.

Our members have been at the bargaining table for months attempting to get a fair contract that addresses these crucial issues.

If this weren’t so serious, Providence’s attempt to distract the media, and Oregonians, with this press release would be laughable.

Providence’s nurses aren’t laughing. Tragically, they are preparing for a three-strike intended to raise awareness of Providence’s ongoing mismanagement and to force Providence back to the negotiating table to reach a fair contract.

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