Legacy Health workers have reached a tentative agreement that could bring an end to their strike, which has lasted for four weeks. The agreement involves approximately 140 striking advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, physician associates, and clinical nurse specialists who unionized in 2023. A ratification vote will commence on Friday and conclude at noon on Saturday.
The workers are based at Legacy hospitals and clinics located in Oregon and southwest Washington. They initiated their strike on December 2, 2023, as part of a broader movement among newly organized unions within Legacy Health. This group is the first to achieve a tentative labor agreement.
According to the Oregon Nurses Association, the labor union representing the striking workers, the proposed agreement includes across-the-board pay raises and the introduction of new pay scales. Additionally, it offers pay increases for the second and third years of the contract. The union stated that these changes aim to make wages at Legacy Health more competitive with those of similarly positioned workers at Oregon Health & Science University, although it does not fully close the wage gap.
Earlier this year, Legacy Health and OHSU had called off a planned merger, a decision that may have influenced the dynamics of wage negotiations. Until the agreement is ratified, the workers will continue their strike, as confirmed by the Oregon Nurses Association.
This tentative agreement marks a significant step forward for Legacy Health workers, who have been advocating for better compensation and working conditions. The outcome of the ratification vote will determine whether the strike concludes or continues. The union and the striking workers are hopeful that the agreement will pave the way for improved labor relations within the organization.
