November 20, 2024 3:40 a.m. 

Oregon Nursing Association Nurses at CHI Mercy Medical Center have announced that they reached a tentative contract agreement with hospital management after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday.

An ONA release said after more than 20 negotiation sessions, local nurses were able to secure an agreement which they say is fair and will help the hospital address staffing issues, while raising local healthcare standards. The new three-year agreement includes a 26 percent wage increase in year one which ONA says will pull nurses level with the wages paid at other hospitals in the region. It also increases frontline healthcare workers’ benefits to remain competitive with other healthcare systems. Nurses on the bargaining team believe this new agreement will enable the hospital to recruit and train nurses in Douglas County and help ensure local patients continue to have access to high-quality, safe, and affordable healthcare.

The release said local nurses expressed deep appreciation for the support they’ve received from their coworkers at Mercy and from community members throughout contract negotiations. ONA said community support was critical to reaching a fair contract agreement that will make a positive difference for nurses, patients and the community.

Nurses at Mercy will review details of the tentative agreement and hold a ratification vote soon.

As part of the agreement, nurses canceled the informational picket originally scheduled for Wednesday.