Federal labor agency orders Asante to bargain with union, three years after vote

Source: OPB.org

The Medford hospital argued the union vote was illegal because of pre-election speeches and free cake.

By Justin Higginbottom June 6, 2026 11:47 a.m.

The National Labor Relations Board has ordered management at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford to begin bargaining with more than 250 healthcare technicians who voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association union in 2023.

The hospital challenged the union election, arguing the vote should be invalidated because organizers allegedly offered free cake to employees and gave a speech within one day of the election.

“Asante executives have spent three years refusing to recognize them and wasting countless patient dollars on failed legal challenges to try to silence them,” said Kevin Mealy, communications manager at Oregon Nurses Association.

In a statement, Asante said the decision was part of the legal process surrounding certification of the election.


Read more: https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/06/asante-bargain-union-after-vote/