Portland, OR. — Advanced practice providers (APPs) across Legacy Health, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), announced today that they have delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives. The notice states that 135 APPs will begin an open-ended strike on December 2, 2025, at 6 a.m. unless Legacy reaches a fair contract agreement beforehand.
The APPs—including nurse practitioners, physician associates, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists—provide direct patient care across Legacy hospitals and clinics in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington. They argue that Legacy’s compensation lags significantly behind comparable health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and OHSU, threatening recruitment, retention, and patient care quality.
Many Legacy APPs say they are not paid for required administrative hours, a disparity they cite as emblematic of systemic inequities. ONA notes that APPs routinely work unpaid time to complete patient care tasks, documentation, and hand-offs, and are currently required to use personal leave to make up for pay lost during holidays or weather-related closures.
“We are striking because we want our exceptional healthcare providers to continue caring for our community,” said Leigh Warsing, PA and ONA bargaining team member. “With Legacy’s current contract offer, my colleagues will leave for better-paying, better-supported jobs elsewhere—leaving patients with fewer, less experienced providers when they need us the most. Legacy management needs to return to the table and negotiate a fair contract that retains experienced providers and protects the safety of every patient who comes through our doors.”
According to ONA, Legacy executives and their contracted law firm walked away from negotiations on November 20 after receiving the strike notice. APPs say they remain ready to meet daily, around the clock, to reach an agreement and avert a work stoppage.
The strike is open-ended. Picket lines will begin December 2 at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting December 3, picketing will continue daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The union provided more than ten days’ notice to give Legacy time to adjust services and prepare contingency plans for patient care.
Community members can learn more about the negotiations, sign a petition, and follow strike updates at OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs.
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