About 165 workers at Providence Home Health and Hospice have joined the Oregon Nurses Association after a 123-31 vote April 14. The unit includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and counselors working in the Portland metro, North Coast, Yamhill County, and Columbia River Gorge.Â
In February, workers walked into a bargaining session between Providence management and nurses to ask for voluntary recognition. Managers declined, so the group asked the National Labor Relations Board for an election the next day. Union supporters said they wanted to organize to have more voice in decisions about productivity quotas and worker safety.Â
