Providence nurses back at work, still no contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Thousands of Providence nurses went back to work Sunday, closing the largest nurses strike ever in Oregon.

However, both sides remain divided on a number of issues and still have not come to an agreement.

Nurses from Providence Saint Vincent, Willamette Falls, Newberg, Medford, Hood River and Milwaukie hit the picket lines last Tuesday, asking for competitive pay, better healthcare benefits and staffing ratios caring for patients.

Providence said there are currently six open contracts at those locations.

Further, while they are working with federal mediators to set new dates, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) said they are ready to get to the bargaining table next week.

But Providence Oregon said it would not go back to bargaining until the strike is over, hiring temporary replacement nurses for five days to cover the three-day nurses strike.

When asked whether nurses would decide if they would go back to the picket lines soon, an ONA spokesperson said it was too early to tell.

"We will have to meet with them again and see what kind of headway we can make at the table," said Kathy Keane, chair of the bargaining unit for nurses at Providence St. Vincent. "Honestly that would be up to the nursing staff."

Meanwhile, Providence noted there is always a risk they could get notified of another strike and the use of temporary replacement nurses make it possible to care for patients.

"We continue to be prepared we are certainly hopeful we will be able to come to a resolution with our nurses and union that represents them," said Providence Oregon CEO Jennifer Burrows.

During the strike, Burrows told KOIN 6 News that nurses cared for more than 1000 patients a day and had nearly 800 emergency room visits each day.

For now, she added they can go back to the bargaining table with nurses in Medford in July.