Oregon Providers Seek Union Recognition at St. Charles
Health employers across Oregon should watch how St. Charles responds to advanced practice providers organizing for collective bargaining.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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More than 180 advanced practice providers at St. Charles health system delivered a declaration calling on administrators to recognize their union, which would join the Oregon Nurses Association. The providers, including nurse practitioners, physician associates and certified nurse midwives, work across 30 departments and 25 specialties in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Madras and La Pine.
Why it matters
The move signals that advanced practice providers, not only registered nurses, are seeking collective bargaining power in Oregon's health care labor market. Central Oregon providers cite upcoming federal legislative changes as adding urgency, while regional staffing has struggled to keep pace with population growth.
The declaration represents more than 180 advanced practice providers across 30 departments and 25 specialties, with an overwhelming majority of eligible providers signing. Over the past five years, more than 10,000 Oregon health professionals have voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association, which now represents more than 26,000 statewide.
The players
Oregon Nurses Association
A union representing more than 26,000 frontline health professionals statewide, including about 1,500 registered nurses at St. Charles facilities.
St. Charles Health System
A central Oregon health system operating hospitals and clinics in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Madras and La Pine.
National Labor Relations Board
The federal agency that conducts union elections and enforces labor law governing private-sector employers.
The details
Providers delivered their declaration to St. Charles administrators requesting voluntary union recognition. Under agency rules, a simple majority of votes will determine recognition if an election is held. If administrators decline, organizers plan to petition the National Labor Relations Board to schedule that vote. Experts estimate nearly 200,000 Oregonians could lose health coverage under Medicaid cuts in the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," and expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits could raise insurance costs.
Timeline
Over the past five years, more than 10,000 Oregon health professionals voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association.
On November 6, 2026, providers delivered the declaration calling for union recognition.
Market Landscape
The push to unionize advanced practice providers follows years of organizing across Oregon health care, where more than 10,000 professionals have joined the Oregon Nurses Association over five years. The effort puts pressure on a regional staffing market that has struggled to keep pace with population growth in central Oregon.
Oregon health systems employing advanced practice providers should expect possible collective bargaining over wages, staffing and scheduling if recognition succeeds. Operators in regional health staffing should watch whether administrators recognize the union voluntarily or whether the matter moves to a federal election.
The takeaway
Advanced practice provider organizing is spreading beyond registered nurses, which makes it a signal worth tracking for any Oregon health employer. Watch for whether St. Charles accepts voluntary recognition or whether an NLRB petition is filed, since a simple majority vote would decide the outcome.
What happens next
If St. Charles administrators decline voluntary recognition, organizers plan to petition the National Labor Relations Board to schedule a union election.
Further reading
For broader context on the labor market behind this organizing push, see Nursing Jobs in Oregon.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVZ.
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