July 5, 2023
(PORTLAND, Ore.) – A group of physicians at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, OR will vote on whether to form a union starting July 10th.
After an overwhelming majority of physicians at the hospital signed union authorization cards, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) agreed to conduct an election. Ballots will be sent to all physicians eligible to vote on July 10 and must be returned to the NLRB before the vote count on August 1. If a majority of votes are cast in favor of unionization, the group of about 74 Internal Medicine, Med-Peds, and OB hospitalists will gain collective bargaining rights, and be represented by the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association (PNWHMA).
In April, emergency department physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who work for Providence Medford voted in favor of unionizing and are now part of PNWHMA, an existing hospitalists union represented by the American Federation of Teachers (Local 6552) and serviced by ONA.
Dr. Gabriel Hyder, MD, a physician involved in the union effort said, “As corporate priorities have displaced medical expertise and health care delivery in our healthcare system, more and more physicians are choosing to exercise our right to form unions. A physicians union can play a vital role in highlighting and rectifying systemic issues that compromise patient care. We can address challenges in maintaining a sustainable career and better advocate for our patients to foster a healthier and more productive healthcare system overall.”
Last month nurses and clinicians from Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Seaside Hospital, and Providence Home Health and Hospice, went out on strike for 5 days in protest of violations of labor law committed by Providence management.
“Providence executives are returning to the same tired, union-busting rhetoric that has been used for decades, but St. Vincent doctors are resolved and united.” Said Dr. Jahnavi Chandrashekar, MD. “Until now, we’ve had no real ability to negotiate, and our major concerns have often been brushed aside. I'm looking forward to a future where our voice is heard as equal and we have a substantial say in policies that affect the lives of our patients and ourselves.”