Here are four updates related to unions involving physicians in the last two weeks, as reported by Becker's:
1. Oregon state Rep. Travis Nelson, BSN, RN, has introduced legislation that would require hospitals to report the cost for replacement workers during a strike. The legislation, HB 2792, would require hospitals to report to the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Oregon Health Authority the cost to recruit, solicit and advertise and pay for replacement workers in the event of a strike.
2. Providence is in its fifth week of strikes at facilities in Oregon, as multiple bargaining units represented by the Oregon Nurses Association remain without ratified labor contracts. The 11 bargaining units represent 5,000 employees, including nurses at eight Providence hospitals and some physicians at Providence-based St. Vincent Medical Center and the Providence Women's clinic. The strike began Jan. 10 and is estimated to be the largest healthcare strike in the state's history.
3. Hospitalists and palliative care physicians at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, represented by the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association, reached a tentative agreement with Providence Oregon on Feb. 5.
4. Nurses, physicians and providers in two bargaining units at Providence Women's Clinic in the Portland area voted to ratify their agreements. These staff returned to work Feb. 6 after accepting Providence's offer, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.