News

The below letter was sent by our RN and ONA leadership to Kaiser after hearing news of their pursuit of Magnet status. At a time when Kaiser has abandoned their responsibility to settling a fair contract, it's time for them to get their priorities straight. The only way to meet the standards of Magnet is with a National Agreement that establishes a great future of care for patients.

Art,

We appreciate the recognition of nurses as the most trusted and ethical profession. But candidly, many nurses no longer believe these words,  because the actions around us tell a different story.

Magnet is built

I have watched in horror as federal armed agents have terrorized Minnesotans over these past few weeks. Our members have been subjected to flash-bangs, tear gas and physical force by masked aggressors. Innocent people have been abducted by anonymous agents without badges or warrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have gone door to door, leaving children terrified, and have brandished their weapons against peaceful protesters—including students and educators on school property.

We cannot look away. Our members in Minnesota are proudly and bravely speaking up for safe communities

Educators and nurses are professionals. Their work is some of the most sacred work people can do, and their professional judgment should be respected. But this administration wants to undermine these workers’ stature in society to pay for the tax cuts the rich got this summer in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”—the same bill that cut healthcare and caused the skyrocketing Affordable Care Act premiums this December.

Here’s the deal: A proposal by Education Secretary Linda McMahon is now circulating that would eliminate the “professional” status for advanced degrees for nurses, physician assistants

We are collaborating with our coalition partner Portland Jobs With Justice to revive their Workers’ Rights Board to hear from Labcorp workers, providers, and experts about how conditions inside this for-profit lab are impacting patient care — and why these workers are fighting for their first contract. Join us Thursday, Dec 11 at 6pm! RSVP Here.

Background: Labcorp is a for-profit corporation that buys and runs hospital labs. They understaff them and underpay their employees with negative consequences for patient care. This is happening at multiple hospitals around Portland where Labcorp

Participating in a strike is one of the most powerful actions you can take as a union member: Showing the employer how essential your work is by withholding your labor, fighting for a contract that protects your ability to provide high quality patient care and earn a dignified income while doing so.

We know a strike is a short term sacrifice for a long term reward -- but the cost of a smaller paycheck can still be understandably challenging, especially when the last four years of wage increases were minimal and the cost of every day living continues to rise. Please see some of the options below