US: Unionized healthcare workers set to stage strike impacting several medical facilities in Oregon starting Jan. 10

Unionized healthcare workers, including members of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), plan to stage a strike starting on Jan. 10 at 14 medical facilities across Oregon affiliated with the Providence healthcare system. Strike organizers are demanding that the company provide greater compensation and hire additional staff. Some 5,000 workers, including nurses, physicians, and midwives, are slated to participate in the labor action and cease working at medical facilities in Portland, Seaside, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Medford, Newberg, and Hood River.

State officials are trying to push the unionized healthcare workers and Providence to reach an agreement to avert the strike. However, if no agreement is reached, the strike will begin at 06:00 Jan. 10. Non-emergency procedures and appointments are likely to be impacted by the strike, and emergency services may be disrupted with longer wait times. Associated protests cannot be ruled out. Authorities will likely deploy an increased security presence to monitor any such demonstrations that materialize.