Oregon's largest hospital system cited the length of the strike in a notice to nurses who've walked out from eight hospitals. The union accused Providence of delaying after members voted down a tentative deal.

About 82% of the Oregon Nurses Association's bargaining unit voted against a tentative agreement with Providence last week.

As the Providence nurses strike inches toward the five-week mark with no end in sight, the question becomes which side feels more pressure to settle.

Providence, however, said that the union has been aware of the possibility that members would lose health insurance if they were still on strike at the end of February. The two sides have yet to resume meetings to negotiate new proposals.

Providence Health & Services has issued a warning to striking nurses, stating that healthcare benefits for them and their families will be terminated.

OREGON -- Providence said on Friday that 43 percent of nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) at its Medford medical center have returned to work. This report comes after the healthcare system sent an email to nurses on strike telling them they would lose their healthcare at the end of the month.

Providence hospitals reached a tentative contract agreement with the health system’s leaders late Tuesday, nearing a possible end to a strike that was in its 26th day.

Nurses on strike at eight Providence hospitals in Oregon have rejected tentative agreements that would have ended the largest health care workers’ strike in state history.

Nurses have been on strike at Providence hospitals since Jan. 10, including Providence Medford, pictured. Providence management has told nearly 5,000 striking employees they will lose health benefits by the end of the month if the do not return to work.

Providence Health & Services has issued a warning to striking nurses, stating that healthcare benefits for them and their families will be terminated.