The Oregon Nurses Association on Wednesday, Aug. 9, notified the Oregon Health & Science University bargaining team of their declaration of impasse, meaning that bargaining moves to the next phase. To be clear, a strike has not been declared.
The bargaining teams have met regularly since December 2022 to work on a successor contract. The OHSU team will continue working in good faith toward a contract that supports OHSU nurses and the long-term sustainability of the organization.
The OHSU bargaining team thanks the ONA team for their collaboration thus far in helping reach tentative agreements on many issues, and looks forward to working with ONA in the next phase of the bargaining process.
What happens next?
Both the OHSU and ONA bargaining teams are now required to submit their “final offer” on all outstanding issues, as well as a cost estimate for their final offers, within 7 days, by Aug. 16. These final offers will be published by the mediator. OHSU will also share its final offer and rationale with the OHSU community.
Following submission of final offers, a 30-day “cooling off” period begins. During the 30-day period, OHSU and ONA will meet. The OHSU bargaining team is committed to reaching an agreement and will continue to reach out to ONA and make efforts to resolve the outstanding issues.
Does this mean there will be a strike?
A strike — or work stoppage — is possible, but OHSU will continue to make efforts to avoid one. A strike hurts everyone: It can delay care for patients and the community OHSU serves, and create strain for employees on both sides of the picket line. OHSU is prepared to continue operations in the event of a strike, but desires to reach acceptable terms for a new contract.
What does it mean that ONA-represented employees are working without a contract?
Though the OHSU/ONA contract expired June 30, 2023, the law requires both OHSU and ONA to generally maintain the terms and conditions of employment that were in place under the now-expired contract. Terms and conditions of employment include many provisions of the contract, including pay and benefits.
While employees’ day-to-day experience in their job will not change, OHSU recognizes that working without a contract may create tensions. OHSU thanks nurses for continuing to care for patients, and department leaders for ensuring ONA-represented staff feel supported in their roles.
OHSU is grateful to both bargaining teams for their tremendous work moving toward a new contract.