St. Charles saddened by OFNHP members choice to strike
Although St. Charles Health System leaders provided another confidential supposal through a federal mediator to the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals last night in an effort to avoid a work stoppage, the union rejected the offer. At 8 a.m. this morning, some technical workers at the Bend hospital chose to walk out rather than come back to the important work of negotiating a first-time contract.
“This is a sad day,” said Aaron Adams, president of St. Charles Bend. “We want to come to an agreement with our caregivers and have attempted to do so repeatedly. But we also have an important job to do and responsibility to our community. Our focus is taking care of our patients.”
The St. Charles Bend hospital is open and providing care as usual. Trained replacement workers are on site and the community should feel confident in the care they will receive.
“It is important to us that you know we are here for you,” Adams said. “No matter what happens in the coming days, St. Charles has been here for our Central Oregon patients for more than 100 years and that won’t change.”
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,600 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
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