SPRINGFIELD – PeaceHealth home care nurses will strike from Feb. 1-14 in response to failed bargaining negotiations with PeaceHealth executives for sufficient pay. Negotiations began Feb. 14, 2023.
The strike will not affect operations at PeaceHealth hospitals and clinics in Lane County and it will still be able to provide care to patients.
ONA nurses feel as though they have been lowballed by PeaceHealth and that their work, although essential, is being overlooked, and noted that PeaceHealth’s offer falls below inflation.
“We respect our caregivers’ rights to engage in lawful union negotiation activities,” PeaceHealth wrote in response. “We are deeply disappointed the union has chosen to strike as we have offered highly competitive proposals that would provide wage improvements either at or beyond market rate.”
According to ONA, “Nearly a quarter of home care nurses have left the agency since PeaceHealth executives allowed nurses’ contracts to expire in April 2023. Another third of home care nurses have said they plan to leave this year if PeaceHealth refuses to agree to a fair contract.”
“We are not asking for more or special treatment, just what we have always had and the standard that all other PeaceHealth hospitals have had in Washington and Oregon,” said Heather Herbert, an ONA member and hospice nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services.
