Strike ends at Oregon hospital

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — More than 300 McKenzie-¬Willamette Medical Center workers returned to work Friday after a three-day strike protesting pay, working conditions and proposed increases to employee health care costs.

But whether the strike spurs the hospital’s owners to make concessions in contract negotiations remains to be seen.

Striking employees returned to work as planned at 6:30 a.m. Friday morning, Service Employees International Union 49 President Meg Niemi said. The strike began Tuesday morning, with workers picketing outside the hospital, carrying signs with slogans such as “On strike for good jobs” and “Our hospital can do better.”

Niemi said shortly after the strike ended that union officials had no indication from Mc¬Kenzie-Willamette that new contract talks would be forthcoming. The two sides have tried to finalize a contract since January.

“I haven’t heard from them,” Niemi said, adding that the union hasn’t talked face-to-face with hospital administrators since Oct. 17. “We’re ready to meet any time.”

A statement released by the hospital Friday didn’t mention contract talks.

“All scheduled service and technical workers began returning to work at McKenzie-¬Willamette Medical Center, ending a three-day strike conducted by the SEIU Local 49,” the statement said. “More than 50 percent of SEIU represented employees crossed the picket line to work as scheduled during the strike. Patient care has continued without interruption through the focus and dedication of the physicians on the hospitals’ medical staffs, hospital employees and qualified temporary replacement workers. The hospital has experienced a smooth transition as the full complement of regular staff resumes the responsibility of providing patients with quality care.”

A hospital spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a message asking if administrators were open to new negotiations.

Niemi disputed the hospital’s assertion that more than half of the SEIU members crossed the picket line.

“Of our 300-plus members that were bargaining,