Nurses at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford have entered the mediation stage of contract negotiations with hospital administration to address what they view as unsafe staffing levels, noncompetitive wages and inadequate benefits.
The Oregon Nurses Association, which represents the hospital’s frontline nurses, believes that talk of a strike is premature, but nothing is off the table, Kevin Mealy, an association spokesperson, said.
“They are far apart currently on an agreement,” Mealy said.
Lauren Van Sickle, Asante communications manager, said in a statement:
“Asante continues to bargain with Oregon Nurses Association representatives. Good progress has been made, and we look forward to furthering the process with the assistance of a federal mediator.
“The ONA has not provided Asante with a notice of intent to strike, and we believe both bargaining teams are committed to reaching an agreement,” she stated.