Mount Hood Nurses Sound the Alarm: A Fight for Fair Care and Futures

The air at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center is thick with a powerful message: its dedicated nurses have spoken, voting overwhelmingly – 98% in favor – to authorize a strike. This isn't just a number; it's a resounding cry from the heart of healthcare, a clear signal that the status quo is no longer sustainable for those on the front lines of patient care.

Members of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) have reached a critical juncture in their ongoing contract negotiations, which have stalled since April.

At the core of their unwavering resolve are deep-seated concerns over chronic understaffing, an issue they argue directly compromises patient safety and quality of care. Nurses report being stretched thin, facing immense pressure as they strive to provide compassionate care with inadequate resources.

This isn't merely about demanding more; it's about ensuring patients receive the attention and expertise they deserve.

Beyond the crucial issue of staffing, nurses are fighting for competitive wages and benefits that reflect their invaluable skills, tireless dedication, and the soaring cost of living.

They highlight the paradox of burnout and high turnover in a profession desperately needing to retain experienced caregivers. For these nurses, fair compensation is intrinsically linked to retaining talent and attracting new professionals to alleviate the very understaffing crisis they face.

While the vote for strike authorization provides the ONA bargaining unit with the power to call a strike, it doesn't mean a walkout is imminent.

Instead, it serves as a potent demonstration of unity and resolve, a strategic move designed to compel Legacy Health to seriously address their demands. Before any strike can commence, the union is legally required to issue a 10-day notice, leaving a window open for continued, intensive negotiations.

Legacy Health has publicly affirmed its commitment to reaching a fair agreement, stating their appreciation for their nurses and highlighting recent proposals aimed at addressing compensation and retention.

Yet, for the nurses, these proposals have not gone far enough to alleviate the profound challenges they face daily.

This situation at Legacy Mount Hood is not an isolated incident but echoes a broader, urgent narrative unfolding across the Pacific Northwest. Recent months have seen similar strike authorizations and actual walkouts at other major healthcare institutions, including Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Providence St.

Vincent Medical Center. This pattern underscores a systemic strain on the healthcare workforce, as nurses nationwide push for conditions that prioritize both their well-being and the safety of their patients.

The nurses of Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center stand united, advocating not just for themselves, but for the fundamental right of every patient to receive safe, quality care.

The coming days will be critical, as both sides seek common ground to avert a strike and ensure that essential healthcare services remain uninterrupted, all while safeguarding the future of nursing in Oregon.