US: Unionized healthcare workers in Oregon to strike strike impacting several medical facilities through at least mid-January /update 1

Unionized healthcare workers in Oregon will likely continue their ongoing strike at 14 medical facilities affiliated with the Providence healthcare system through at least mid-January. The strike began on Jan. 10 and negotiations between employer and union representatives have yet to resume as of early Jan. 13. The purpose of the action is to press management to provide better compensation and hire additional staff. Some 5,000 workers, including nurses, physicians, and midwives, are participating in the work stoppage; the walkout is mainly targeting medical facilities in Portland, Seaside, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Medford, Newberg, and Hood River.

Non-emergency procedures and appointments will continue being impacted by the strike; emergency services may be disrupted with longer wait times. Strike-related protests will probably continue near the targeted facilities. Authorities will almost certainly deploy an increased security presence to monitor any such demonstrations that materialize.