Some doctors and nurses in Portland might strike soon

(OCTOBER 31, 2024) Doctors, nurses, and other health workers at two hospitals in Portland are preparing for a possible strike. According to Longman Dictionary, "If a group of workers strike, they stop working as a protest against something relating to their work, for example how much they are paid, bad working conditions, etc."

This strike could be Oregon's first-ever doctors' strike. 

The workers want better pay. They want more time with patients. They want safer staffing levels. 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has been talking with hospital leaders for many months. One nurse at St. Vincent Hospital said, "It took a long time for us to reach the point where we felt comfortable with a strike." 

Providence is the organization that owns the hospitals. It disagrees with the union. It said the union leaders are "putting power before patients." Providence says the union’s goal is to organize a large strike at eight hospitals. That would make it harder to take care of patients. 

ONA says it will let Providence know in advance if a strike is planned. Therefore the hospitals have time to move patients. It could also come to an agreement to avoid the strike.

The nurses and doctors say they are very tired. They feel they aren’t being listened to. They believe better staffing and fairer pay are needed to help them do their jobs well. 

One nurse, Christina Malango, said she wants "work-life balance, competitive wages and benefits, and retirement that respects our work."