Newport Nurses Informational Strike
Nurses with an expired union contract in Oregon are holding an informational picket on Friday. Negotiations on a contract with Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport started in April, but the two sides have yet to reach a deal. The nurses are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association which also represent nurses at Peace Harbor Medical center. Their contract expired on June 30th. Brook Clark is a registered nurse at the hospital and member of the union. She wants Samaritan to bring its pay up equal to other Samaritan hospitals. Clark also notes that about a quarter of staff are traveling nurses.
“That cost is really going to eat into our budget as an organization and that cost is going to eventually trickle down to our patients and our community.”
Clark says that some of the same issues that affect nurses in Florence are an issue in Newport. Housing, child care and other basic living costs are higher. Traveling nurses are paid more than local nurses. The Oregon Nurses Association notes Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital is one of the most profitable hospitals in the state. A bargaining session takes place on Friday. Contract negotiations are also in progress here locally.
Foster Kids to Give Input on System
People who have gone through the foster care system in Oregon will get a chance to help improve it. The Oregon Department of Human Services has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by foster children. As part of the agreement, foster youth and anyone who has aged out of care since 2019, when the suit was filed, will get a chance to share their feedback about the settlement with U-S District Judge Ann Aiken on September 12th. Emily Cooper is legal director for Disability Rights Oregon, one of the organizations that filed the initial lawsuit.
“They have an opportunity to say, ‘I think the state should also, maybe do these other things,’ or ‘the state should really focus on this.’ And the court and we really want to hear from these children and young adults.”
A listening session is being held today at 5 p-m and Saturday at 1 p-m to provide instructions on how to share feedback. Cooper notes nearly five-thousand people will be eligible to participate. Those wanting to share must sign up online by August 15th or send a letter to Judge Aiken by August 16th.
Traffic Changes on Rhododendron
Drier conditions will allow for the completion of striping on the new completed section of Rhododendron Drive. The northern portion of the construction project from the Humane Society to 35th street will be the new access point for travel to the Humane society as well as the county transfer station beginning August 5th. striping was delayed after rain on Monday of this week. The new traffic pattern will include a three-way stop at 35th street. The new section of roadway is only open for local traffic to an from the two facilities as well as for residents along the path. Work continues to the south on the soil retaining wall, walking paths and roadway surfaces. There are no residences or businesses along that southern portion from Wildwinds to the Transfer station so that portion remains closed to all traffic.