Almost 5,000 Oregon healthcare workers are striking against nonprofit health system Providence after more than a year of failed contract negotiations. | Though largely comprised of nurses, the walk-off that began Friday also includes physician associates and doctors—the latter of which is a first for Oregon,

The largest health care strike in Oregon history began early Friday at Providence facilities across the state, as roughly 5,000 frontline health professionals walked off the job. The strike — which includes thousands of nurses along with 150 doctors and advanced practitioners — spans Providence’s eight hospitals in the state and six women’s clinics.

Thousands of Providence health care workers are striking this morning in the largest health care strike in Oregon history. Here's why.