Providence nurses picket over staffing

Some nurses picketed April 10 near Providence Medford (Ore.) Medical Center, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services, according to a KOBI-TV NBC 5 report.

The workers, who are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, were picketing due to what they see as short staffing.

 

"We are on our feet for 12 to 13 hour days. We miss our breaks, we miss our lunch, we go home thinking, 'Did I do this for a patient? Did I chart that?' So our sleep quality isn't good," Christalyn Matlock, RN, told KOBI.

 

Nurses also contend there is high turnover at the hospital.

 

In response to the picket, Tomi Ryba, chief executive for Providence Health & Services' Southern Oregon Service Area, reiterated the system's commitment to communicating with the nurses.

 

"Providence is committed to ensuring that caregivers' right related to labor organizing are respected, honored and upheld. Providence has a long history of working together with unions that caregivers have chosen to represent them," she said in a statement.

 

"Providence [also] supports open communication," the statement continued. "Caregivers can always talk with each other, any core leader or an HR representative about questions or concerns. We are committed to open and honest communication and will answer questions so people can make their own informed decisions. Providence does not question caregivers about their position related to the union, and we are always mindful of our core value of respect."

 

Hospital officials have been in direct negotiations with the ONA since November.