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.

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.

Providence Health may cut health insurance for striking nurses if the strike continues past the end of February.

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

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.

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

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.