BEND, OR -- St. Charles Health System and the Oregon Nurses Association made a tentative contract deal, following talks with a federal mediator. The announcement comes after months of negotiations that led to the threat of a strike. ONA’s Scott Palmer told KBND News Bend nurses involved in the talks are pleased with the result, “We’re looking at specific agreements on almost every single one of their core issues. Recruitment of new nurses. Retention of the nurses who already work here.” He said the guarantee on rest and meal breaks was especially important, “So that goes an enormously long way in telling the nurses your work life is going to improve. Working conditions at the hospital are going to get better. That’s a huge win.”

More than 950 nurses gave notice last week they planned to strike this Monday if no agreement was reached. That strike has now been called off according to a release from St. Charles.

“Nurse leaders who were at the bargaining table are very, very pleased to have arrived at what we’re describing as really a historic tentative agreement, not only for the nurses at St. Charles but for nurses across the state, and really nationally,” Palmer said.

Nurses will vote to ratify the three-and-a-half-year contract, which could happen within the next week according to Palmer, “Certainly, this is something that the nurses want to get take care of and they want to make sure they do this quickly. Not only for themselves but also for the community."