St. Charles nurses avert strike with new contract

Nearly 1,000 nurses at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend reached tentative agreement June 8 on a new contract. Members of Oregon Nurses Association, they were preparing to go out on strike June 12. If approved, the agreement will boost base pay between 33% and 48%, depending on experience. It also will ensure that nurses receive their meal and rest breaks, or at least get paid extra when those breaks are missed. Nurses will vote to ratify the agreement later this month.