Why Providence employees are forming a union

As caregivers in Providence Health Systems hospitals who have dedicated our lives to caring for others, we are uniting to make health care work for our patients, our community and our families.

We are standing up for a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our patients. As caregivers, we know that hospitals work best when we have the staff and support we need to provide quality care and the freedom to advocate for our patients. Our unity can make us stronger partners with Providence in upholding our mission of healing and helping our hospitals put patients first.

We are standing up to make health care work for our communities by ensuring that quality, affordable health care is within reach of all Oregonians. Non-profit hospitals are a public service supported by public dollars, that should meet the health needs of the entire community and be accountable to taxpayers.

We are standing up for our families because health care works best when health care providers have access to affordable, quality health care for our families, and have wages and benefits that reflect our contribution to society.

We are standing up for what is right. By forming a union, we are uniting to make health care work for our patients, our communities and our families - because health care is not just a business, it is our mission.

—The members of the Providence Health System Oregon Organizing Council, adopted August 2005