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

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.

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.

Several nurses told The Oregonian/OregonLive they plan to vote to reject the contract and continue a strike approaching its fifth 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.