Nearly 1,800 Providence nurses and clinicians are on strike amid ongoing negotiations with the hospital system over a new contract, the union representing the hospital workers said Sunday night.

The Oregon Nurses Association said that after a week of “unwillingness from Providence to return to the bargaining table,” the nursing staff at Providence Portland, Providence Home Health & Hospice, and Providence Seaside will be on the picket lines starting Monday.

Nurses gathered at the picket lines at 5:30 a.m.

The ONA issued the following statement Sunday evening:

“To all our patients and to those who receive services from Providence in Seaside and the Portland metro area: If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care! Patients should seek hospital care immediately if they need it. We would rather be the ones providing that care, but Providence management have forced our hand and we find ourselves on the picket line advocating for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you’ve gotten the care you need.”

https://katu.com/news/local/nurses-clinicians-at-3-oregon-providence-locations-set-to-strike-monday