Governor Tina Kotek stepped into the fray with a public statement regarding the ongoing strike at Providence hospitals in Oregon. As yesterday marks the beginning of the labor action affecting eight hospitals and six women's clinics, Kotek criticized Providence for not using the prior ten days to reach an agreement. According to the official statement, she called out for immediate action: "We must take care of the people who take care of Oregonians – all hospital staff deserve a fair contract."

The governor's call comes amidst rising concern over disruptions to healthcare services due to the strike. The workers at the Providence facilities are striking over issues related to pay, staffing, and working conditions—a set of concerns that have become all too common in the healthcare sector nationwide.

Governor Kotek's statement further emphasized the urgency, "Oregonians are already experiencing disruptions to care" and insisted that, "All parties must return to the table immediately to resolve their disagreements so normal operations and care can resume."