The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP), also known as American Federation of Teachers Local 5017, is a left-of-center labor union representing approximately 5,000 nurses and healthcare professionals at specific locations in Oregon and Washington. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the AFL-CIO, and describes itself as a sister union to the Oregon Nurses Association and the Washington Nurses Association. The union primarily represents healthcare employees working for Kaiser Permanente and PeaceHealth systems in Oregon and southwestern Washington state and led efforts to unionize LabCorp employees in Oregon in 2025. ¹

Background

The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals was formed in 1979 and represents approximately 5,000 employees in Oregon and southwestern Washington that the Oregon Nurses Association and the Washington Nurses Association do not otherwise represent. Most of the employees represented by the union work for the Kaiser Permanente or PeaceHealth medical systems, as well as a few smaller employer locations. ²

Most of the employees represented by the OFNHP are not nurses. They include laboratory workers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, medical social workers, dental hygienists, and technicians. ²

The OFNHP is affiliated with the healthcare division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Nurses and Health Professionals. The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) are also affiliated with the AFT and are described as sibling associations by the OFNHP. The OFNHP is also affiliated with the AFL-CIO labor federation. ²

Activity

In 2025, the Oregon Nurses Association led a strike of its members against the Providence health system, which involved nearly 5,000 employees and lasted 26 days, making it the longest health-care strike in state history. Negotiations prior to the strike lasted a year and the parties began mediation during the strike at the urging of Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D). The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals supported the strike and urged its members to join the picket line in solidarity with the ONA members and to sign a petition pledging to not “cross the picket line and act as a strikebreaking worker.” ³

The OFNHP also highlighted its participation in the 2024 Democratic National Convention and the American Federation of Teachers‘ support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. ^{4 5}

The union operates a Political Education and Action Committee (PEAC) that endorses candidates in state and local races, endorsing almost exclusively Democratic candidates for state legislative office in Oregon and Washington. ⁵

In 2025, the union led efforts to unionize 120 LabCorp employees at Providence Portland’s outsourced laboratory. ⁶

The union praised the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness policies, including changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and stated that “we expect we’ll have to hold Donald Trump’s Department of Education accountable for fulfilling its obligations to public employees under federal law.” The union further stated that “given prior public statements and the Project 2025 Republican playbook, we expect the incoming Trump administration to repeal the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan.” ⁷

Leadership

Sarina Roher is the president of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals and the secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO. ⁸

1. ^[1] De Leon, Kristine. “Labcorp workers at Providence Portland vote to unionize.” The Oregonian. February 20, 2025. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/02/labcorp-workers-at-providence-portland-vote-to-unionize.html
2. Who We Are.” Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://ofnhp.aft.org/about-us/who-we-are-6
3. “How to Support the Providence Strike.” Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://ofnhp.aft.org/news/how-support-providence-strike
4. ^[1] “OFNHP at the DNC.” Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://ofnhp.aft.org/news/ofnhp-dnc
5. “2024 PEAC Political Endorsements.” Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://ofnhp.aft.org/get-active/2024-peac-political-endorsements
6. De Leon, Kristine. “Labcorp workers at Providence Portland vote to unionize.” The Oregonian. February 20, 2025. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/02/labcorp-workers-at-providence-portland-vote-to-unionize.html
7. Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://ofnhp.aft.org/news/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program-2025
8. Gruben, Mallory. “Union nurse appointed to number two spot in Oregon AFL-CIO.” Northwest Labor Press. July 6, 2023. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://old.kmuz.org/episode/holla-for-labor-talks-with-sarina-roher-oregon-afl-cio/