Legacy Health workers have reached a tentative agreement that could bring an end to their strike, which has lasted for nearly four weeks. The 140 advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, physician associates, and clinical nurse specialists, initiated the strike on December 2, 2023, as part of their push for better working conditions and compensation. This group, which unionized in 2023, is the first among several newly organized unions at Legacy Health to secure a preliminary labor agreement.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, will undergo a ratification vote starting Friday and concluding at noon on Saturday. The Oregon Nurses Association, representing the striking workers, stated that the tentative deal includes comprehensive pay raises and new pay scales. Additionally, it outlines further pay increases for both the second and third years of the contract. While the deal aims to make wages at Legacy Health more competitive with those at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), it does not fully close the existing wage gap, according to union representatives.
This tentative agreement comes after the cancellation of a proposed merger between Legacy Health and OHSU earlier this year, which had been a point of contention for many workers involved in the labor negotiations. Until the agreement is ratified, the workers will continue their strike.
The outcome of the ratification vote will be closely monitored, as it will determine the next steps for the advanced practice providers and potentially set a precedent for other unions within the Legacy Health system. The ongoing situation highlights the broader trend of labor organizing in the healthcare sector, as workers advocate for fair compensation and improved working conditions in the wake of unprecedented challenges faced during the pandemic.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, agreements like this one may play a crucial role in shaping employee relations and labor standards in hospitals and clinics throughout the region.
