EP 82: Historic Nursing Strike - Providence Health, Oregon

In this episode of Nurses Uncorked, Nurse Jessica Sites and Nurse Erica interview Dr. Jennifer Lincoln and Denise Arnold RN about an upcoming historic strike involving 5,000 healthcare workers at multiple Oregon hospitals. The guests detail the needs they've been negotiating for, including safe staffing, benefits, and comparable wages. They discuss the challenges faced during negotiations with Providence Health, the alleged union-busting tactics by Providence, and the misrepresentation of their struggles in the media. The conversation highlights the solidarity among nurses and doctors and the need for equitable treatment across different hospitals. They also address discrepancies in sick leave policies and recent changes in health insurance. The conversation includes the risks associated with scab nurses and the impact that providers going on strike has on healthcare costs. They express hope for future negotiations while highlighting the solidarity among healthcare workers in their fight for better treatment and support. They emphasize the importance of community support while also addressing the business-oriented nature of healthcare that often prioritizes profits over patient care.  

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Interested in Sponsoring the Show?  Email with the subject NURSES UNCORKED SPONSOR to [e-mail]    Help Us Keep This Podcast going and become an official Patron of Nurses Uncorked! Gain early access to episodes, patron only bonus episodes, giveaways and earn the title of becoming either a Wine Cork, Wine Bottle, Decanter, Grand Preserve, or even a Vineyard member for exclusive benefits! Benefits also include patron only Zoom parties, newsletters, shout-outs, and much more.   https://patron.podbean.com/nursesuncorkedpodcast   Chapters: 01:22 Guest Introductions 03:40 A Historic Strike 05:23 Cocktail of the Week 07:30 The Importance of Respective Union Representations  10:10 Ice Breaker 11:07 What Employees are Negotiating for 17:45 Staffing Committees  19:18 Bargaining Units Treated Differently 22:20 Negotiation Challenges and Requests 24:45 Unity Among Healthcare Workers 29:45 Problem of the Week 34:27 Discrepancies in Sick Leave Policies 38:42 Oregon Staffing Law Compliance 45:07 Insurance Changes and Their Implications 48:26 Outcome of Previous Strike 52:45 Solidarity Among Healthcare Workers 54:39 Union-Busting Tactics 59:30 Enema of the Week Award 1:02:52 Refusal to Negotiate Before Strike 1:07:30 The Impact of Locum Tenens on Healthcare Costs 1:10:30 Patient Safety and the Risks of Scab Nurses 1:12:35 Media Misrepresentation of Healthcare Workers 1:17:30 Community Support for Healthcare Workers 1:19:00 Simultaneous Strikes Around the Country 1:19:30 How to Support Healthcare Workers 1:21:49 Education in Women's Health: Where to Find Dr. Jennifer Lincoln   Oregon Nurses Association: Patients Before Profits - Oregon Nurses Association    Donate to the strike fund: Fundraiser by Oregon Nurses Association : Support the Providence Strike Fund   Sign the petition: 2024-2025 Providence 10 Day Public Petition    Dr. Jennifer Lincon: About - Dr. Jennifer Lincoln  Dr. Jennifer Lincol