On the day before returning to negotiations with hospital leadership, the Oregon Nurses Association and Providence nurses on the bargaining team acknowledged staff weariness before pledging to continue the fight if necessary.

More than two dozen Providence nurses braved heavy rains at the corner of McAndrews and Crater Lake Avenue in Medford on Monday afternoon demanding a new contract from the healthcare organization ahead of a Tuesday bargaining session.

Providence Medford, for its part, says it is prepared to offer nurses a “historic” 20% pay increase. Breanna Zabel, a Medford nurse leading the bargaining team, however, said numerous priorities remain unaddressed following roughly 18 bargaining sessions since January.

She said the local nurses want market wages, and what’s on offer does not match what’s offered “across town,” alluding to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Nor do wages match what hospitals offer across the state, Zabel said. 

“We are still far apart on our priorities — what our nurses have said are our priorities,” she said.

Among priorities Zabel said she hopes to see include increased pay differentials for versatile “float pool” nurses capable of working in different departments. She also wants to see new pay differentials at Providence Medford for nurses with their bachelor’s of science in nursing.

“These do not exist right now,” Zabel said of the BSN pay differential proposal. “We’re trying to be competitive to recruit and retain nurses.”

Zabel also said she would like to see negotiations move toward Providence covering 100% of nurses’ short-term disability, up from the current 65%. Other Providence caregivers outside the union have better coverage, she said.

“It’s not all about the wages, but we do want to be competitive,” Zabel added. 

Providence Medford nurses have been working without a contract since March, and have been negotiating since January.

During the Monday rally, and contained within a press release ahead of it, the ONA made claims that were difficult to verify that Providence Medford Medical Center was losing numerous nurses for better opportunities at other healthcare providers.

“Some have reported that just in the last month, Providence Medford has lost about a dozen nurses to other jobs,” the ONA stated in a release.

When reached for comment, a Providence spokesperson said that Providence Medford has had six nurses leave in October.

“We haven’t seen an increase in turnover during the past year,” the spokesperson said in an email.

Providence Medford further issued a statement that it plans to give nurses a pay increase that would give full-time nurses “on average, an increase of more than 20%.”

“That calculates out to an average of a more than $20,0000 raise per year,” the Providence statement read. “That increase comes before any overtime, holiday pay or increases for working certain shifts.”

Medford nurse Vicki Knudsen was one of a handful of speakers who took to the megaphone at the rain-soaked rally. She said that ONA nurses’ top goal will be to “reach a fair, equitable and competitive contract so we can give our community the care they need when they need it.”

“What Providence does tomorrow at the bargaining table will determine what we do the day after,” Knudsen said.

“If Providence doesn’t come to the table (Tuesday) ready with the right deal that meets the needs of of nurses and patients, then we’ll put all of our options on the table,” Knudsen later added.

Zabel acknowledged nurses’ weariness when she took to the megaphone.

“I know you’re tired,” Zabel said. “I know we are all eager to receive the raise we have more than earned, but what’s currently on the table falls short of recognizing our true worth — we shouldn’t have to accept less than others who do the same work.”

She encouraged nurses to hold out for something better, telling them, “You are worthy and we must remain strong until we achieve what we deserve.”

ONA President and RN Tamie Cline told the nurses she was in Medford because “I believe you deserve a fair contract,” and she said that her bargaining unit at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Eastern Oregon stands with the Medford nurses.

She noted that nurses at Providence St. Vincent, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls, Providence Milwaukie and Providence Women’s Clinic have all authorized strikes; nurses at Providence Portland and Providence Hood River are in the midst of strike votes, and Providence Seaside plans a strike vote later this month.

“I also want to remind you that you are not alone in this fight,” Cline said. “Nurses and health care professionals across the state stand with you.”

At the rally, state Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, pledged her support to nurses, calling them “the heartbeat of this building.” She encouraged them to stand up for themselves, and she pledged her support should they find themselves returning to the picket lines.

“If you don’t get resolution, we will be out there with you,” Marsh said.