Nurses in Heppner succeed in unionizing
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HEPPNER – (News release from the Oregon Nurses Association) After a four month wait, RNs and technical support workers with Pioneer Memorial Hospital are finally able to celebrate their union win. In March, the employees announced their intent to join a union with Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and delivered their declaration to hospital administration demanding to be recognized. However, hospital administration filed an objection with Oregon’s Employment Relations Board (ERB). Following hearings and the submission of post-hearing briefs, the ERB ruled in favor of the employees and ONA on July 12, 2024.
“Nurses and techs decided to form a union so our voices would be heard,” said Kathleen Greenup, RN at Pioneer Memorial Hospital. “It’s been difficult to work at the hospital these last few years because of the high turnover of staff and management’s unwillingness to make necessary improvements to encourage staff to stay.”
Pioneer Memorial Hospital opened in 1950 and serves the small town of Heppner and surrounding areas. As a community access hospital, the public facility is vital to the farming and ranching communities. This is the second group of public employees to organize with ONA in 2024. Nurse practitioners and physician associates from across the OHSU system formed a union in January.
“We try very hard to maintain a high standard to provide the best patient care we can. This is our community, and everyone knows everyone else,” said Greenup. “But we need hospital administration to listen to our expertise and experiences. We have many medical professionals who live in the community, but they would rather work in a hospital an hour away where they are respected and have the support of administration.”
Pioneer Memorial Hospital is part of Morrow County Health District, a nonprofit Oregon special district that offers healthcare service throughout the county. It’s funded primarily through property taxes.
Photo via the Morrow County Health District
