OHSU nurse strike drags on 3

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--> --> OHSU nurse strike drags on PORTLAND (AP) - Negotia-tions aimed at ending a two-day strike by nurses at Oregon Health & Science University failed Wednesday as the patient load at Oregon's busiest hospital dwindled to 62 percent. The hospital continued to turn away ambulances and patients as striking nurses picketed outside. OHSU officials have suggested to surgeons that they cancel any elective surgeries they can. The hospital is again accepting trauma patients, but is still diverting ambulances from its emergency unit, spokesman Jim Newman said. About 300 replacement nurses have arrived from around the country to take over. Hospital officials decided to cut back on patients as the strike began, but Newman said more patients will be accepted as the hospital adapts to the replacement staff. The nurses' union has demanded a 19 percent pay raise and full coverage of any increase in health care costs. The university has stuck by its final offer of a 14 percent pay raise. Nurses at OHSU make about $18 to $24 an hour - a few dollars less than at the state's highest-paying hospitals. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing