Healthcare pros, supporters rally at PeaceHealth center in Vancouver
May 1-Dozens of healthcare professionals and supporters braved Thursday's unseasonable 81 degrees to rally on the sidewalks along Mill Plain Boulevard in front of PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.
The rally was organized by Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals AFT Local 5017, which represents roughly 250 PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center pharmacists, physical therapists, chaplains, social workers, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians, bereavement counselors, behavioral health clinicians and other professionals who have been bargaining for their first union contract since last year, according to Shane Burley, a union communications organizer.
Supporters, many decked in the union's signature red, carried signs with messages such as "compassion includes caregivers" and "solidarity with PHSW pros."
Jim Murez, a PeaceHealth spokesperson, said the organization respects the rights of caregivers to conduct a rally and it would not impact patient care.
"We are committed to reaching agreements that are fair, competitive and sustainable for our medical center and our community," Murez said. "We look forward to continued negotiations with OFNHP with our shared goal of serving our patients with the highest-quality care."
Blake Trammell, a physical therapist who has worked at PeaceHealth for 10 years, is a member of the bargaining team. He said healthcare professionals have been negotiating for a contract that ensures fair wages and competitive benefits to retain staff.
"It is clear that the mission of PeaceHealth, to treat everyone in a loving and caring way, does not extend to caregivers," Trammell said. "That is why we are here today to show PeaceHealth that we are united and demand to be treated with the same respect and compassion they claim in their own mission and values."
PeaceHealth medical social worker Anastasia Amsden is passionate about the hospital hiring and retaining qualified staff. When staff leave for higher-paying jobs, it disrupts important connections that take time to build, Amsden said.
"I would love to see more momentum at the bargaining table," Amsden said. "It's been very frustrating, because we deserve a strong contract."
OFNHP President Sarina Roher encouraged the group of rallying professionals to keep negotiating for a contract.
"When you are stretched thin, patients feel it. Families feel it. Our whole community feels it," Roher said. "That's why this fight matters. This fight is not only about the here and now; it's also about the future of care."
Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove inaccurate pronouns referring to Anastasia Amsden.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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