Medford, OR – Negotiations between Providence Medford nurses and hospital administration have hit an impasse, with both sides failing to reach a new agreement during a bargaining session this week. The nurses, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), are continuing to push for higher compensation, with a focus on retroactive pay and bonuses. A strike authorization vote is now pending as both parties approach a critical deadline.
Nurses have been without a new contract since March and have been in negotiations since January, participating in at least 18 bargaining sessions. According to the ONA, a top priority for the nurses is a retroactive pay bonus of $12,000, which they argue is fair given the time spent without an agreement. In response, Providence Medford has proposed a tiered bonus system based on years of service, offering nurses varying amounts between $1,000 and $5,000, with the largest bonus reserved for those with 11 or more years of service. However, this offer has been met with resistance, as many nurses will receive significantly lower amounts, with roughly half of the bargaining unit potentially getting just $2,000 or less.
In addition to pay issues, the ONA has raised concerns about one-time paid time off increases, enhanced short-term disability, and wages that are competitive with those at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, also located in Medford. The hospital’s most recent proposal included some movement on short-term disability benefits, but the ONA criticized it as insufficient, stating that nurses should already be receiving such enhancements.
The ONA’s latest update emphasized frustration with the pace of negotiations, noting that while the hospital made some adjustments, no substantial progress was made before the bargaining session ended prematurely. The ONA also pointed to a Dec. 19 deadline, set by the hospital, for reaching a deal, with the union warning that “nothing is off the table” regarding future actions, including a potential strike.
In a phone interview, Kate Kitchell, Chief Nursing Officer for Providence Medford, defended the hospital’s offer, calling it “extremely competitive” compared to what nurses at nearby hospitals, such as Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, are being offered. Kitchell highlighted a three-year contract proposal that includes a 20% wage increase in the first year, amounting to an average $20,000 raise, followed by 4% raises in both the second and third years.
“We feel it’s a good deal,” Kitchell said, adding that the hospital’s goal is to provide exceptional care to patients, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. She also pointed out that the hospital is working with federal mediators to arrange further bargaining sessions but did not have specific dates scheduled as of Thursday afternoon.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Providence Medford nurses have remained vocal about their demands. Earlier this week, they held a rally outside the hospital to draw attention to their concerns and show solidarity.
The conflict in Medford is part of a broader pattern of labor disputes at Providence hospitals. Registered nurses at other Providence facilities, including Providence St. Vincent and Providence Immediate Care, are also in the midst of negotiations, with some providers having voted to strike earlier this fall. The ONA has made it clear that they are prepared to take further action if necessary, while the hospital remains committed to reaching a resolution through continued negotiations.
As the December deadline approaches, all eyes are on the bargaining table to see whether a deal can be reached, or if the situation will escalate into a strike.