OHSU building and the aerial tram tower in Portland Oregon.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is one step closer to a possible strike, following ongoing negotiations with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).

During a rally on the South Waterfront earlier this week, ONA leaders announced the strike authorization to the hundreds of nurses in attendance.

96 percent of OHSU nurses participated in the vote and of those, 95 percent supported the strike authorization.

At the event, union leaders and supporters shared their reasons for voting for authorization.

Duncan Zevetski, vice president of ONA’s nurse bargaining unit at OHSU, said working conditions for nurses has a direct impact on the quality of care that they can provide. “I am so proud to be here with all of you today because I know how many hours of overtime we’ve worked to keep our patients safe and our doors open. I know how many breaks we’ve missed to ensure our community receives care … I know how overworked and busy we all are helping our community get the care they deserve,” said Zevetski.

ONA members are calling for improved working conditions, retention and recruitment programs, higher wages and workplace safety trainings.

Tamie Cline, ONA President said the current system often forces nurses to take on more responsibility at the expense of their patients. “Hospitals have put profits over patients and are causing this healthcare crisis. All we want to do is take care of our patients, our neighbors and our communities in the manner that they deserve to be treated, not just enough to get us by. We are asking OHSU to come to the bargaining table and work together with us to make sure that happens”.

Since December 2022, frontline nurses have engaged in more than 30 contract negotiation meetings with OHSU executives. The nurses’ contract with OHSU expired on June 30, 2023. The most recent strike authorization vote was held from September 6th to September 17th.

At the end of her speech, Cline was met with cheers, when she highlighted the statewide presence of the union. “You have my support and the support of over 16,000 nurses and allied health care workers who stand with you in solidarity” said Cline.

At the rally, ONA was also joined by State Representative, Travis Nelson and Former Portland City Commissioner of Oregon, Amanda Fritz. As an ONA member since 1986 and healthcare worker herself, Friz was one of the 1300 nurses at OHSU that participated in a 56 day strike in 2001. “There were many tears though at the meetings that we had of people desperate to pay their phone bills. We didn’t have any kind of remuneration at that time. But we stayed out and we won” said Friz, “So let me just reiterate, we are ready to bargain, we are ready to strike and we are union strong”.

According to their website, OHSU’s current offer was proposed with the ONA’s concerns in mind. This includes ‘across-the-board’ wage increases, higher pay for night shifts, a commitment to meet or exceed state-required staffing ratios and increased retention programs.

OHSU also pledged to conduct a comprehensive third-party safety assessment and invest a minimum of $10 million in safety improvements, with decisions made in collaboration with employees.

OHSU’s full mediation update can be found online.

An agreement is still possible through negotiations. If a strike is called, ONA will have to give OHSU a 10-day notice to stop admissions, transfer patients and reach a contract.

The latest updates on contact negotiations from both ONA and OHSU can be found online.