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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Nurses and other health professionals at Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and Southwest Washington overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike on Friday.
The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals says after six months of bargaining over wages, working conditions and the future of care, Kaiser has been unwilling to seriously address their concerns.
OFNHP says that out of the 92% of members that voted, 97% voted to authorize the strike.
“Cutting frontline care costs is a choice—a choice that’s not in the patients’ best interest. Our choice is for Kaiser to go back to the days when it worked collaboratively in partnership with its workers on creating high-quality workplace conditions and decisions that put patients first,” OFNHP President Sarina Roher said. “The experts who provide the care must shape the care plans; that’s how patients thrive. Healthcare decisions belong in the hands of those who deliver the care, not those who balance the books.”
A strike could come any time after the contract expires at the end of the month. OFNHP says they would give Kaiser 10 days notice before a strike commences.
“We will continue to bargain in good faith, hoping that we can reach an agreement that is fair and respectful for healthcare workers and best for our patients,” Roher said.
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Matt Rawlings
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