Resource pool nurses working at Legacy Health hospitals in Oregon and Washington have voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association.
The election — which concluded July 8 — covers more than 200 nurses who “float” to hospitals throughout the Portland, Ore.-based Legacy Health system, according to the National Labor Relations Board.
There were 211 eligible voters. Of the 125 valid ballots counted, 109 were in favor of unionizing and 16 were opposed.
“I chose to work in the resource pool so I can go wherever I’m needed most,” Taeryn Gelowicz, a Legacy resource pool nurse and ONA member, said in a July 15 union news release shared with Becker’s. “My resource pool colleagues are some of the most skilled, caring and flexible nurses I know. We treat the patient in front of us like they’re our own mom or dad. But given the growing uncertainty in healthcare, we knew we needed a voice in Legacy’s decisionmaking to protect what makes our group special and ensure our patients aren’t left behind.”
The July 8 election comes after more than 2,300 nurses at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center voted to unionize in February.
ONA said the union also represents registered nurses at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Legacy Silverton Medical Center and Legacy outpatient clinics; nurses and health professionals at Legacy Unity Center for Behavioral Health; and advanced practice providers at Legacy hospitals, Legacy-GoHealth urgent care clinics and women’s clinics.
Legacy Health shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“We respect our employees’ right to be part of a union and will work with the ONA as their representative. While we value direct communication and engagement with our employees, we are confident in our ability to remain focused on our shared commitment to the health and well-being of both our employees and patients.”
