Members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals union gathered Tuesday morning outside PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver for a rally in support of the union’s bargaining team.
A group of more than 60 members gathered on the front lawn of the medical center, mostly dressed in red union gear or blue medical scrubs. The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals union is the Local 5017 chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, and represents nurses, technology workers and other health care service and support staff in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Tuesday’s rally was organized as a show of support in response to what union speakers at the event characterized as PeaceHealth’s inadequate proposals during contract negotiations with the technology workers, which have been ongoing for several months. Separate contract negotiations with additional support staff are scheduled to begin this week, the union members said.
