Hospital techs organize at hospital in Medford

By MALLORY GRUBEN

At Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, hospital techs want to create a united union front with nurses. So on April 21, Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) asked the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election among more than 250 health techs at the hospital. The proposed unit would include radiologic technologists, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapy assistants, and surgical technicians, among others. ONA already represents registered nurses in the facility. 

Asante Rogue Regional Hospital is a Level 2 trauma center and has Southern Oregon’s only neonatal intensive care unit. Health care providers and workers there have been nationally recognized for their heart and stroke care, orthopedic services, cancer care and diabetes care. 

Workers cited several reasons for organizing, including safe staffing, affordable health insurance, and competitive wages with cost of living increases. An election date has not been set yet.