Providence Health and Services said Tuesday, Jan. 14 that it is now ready to restart contract negotiations with unionized nurses at its two largest hospitals, Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent.

“It’s our understanding the mediators have been in conversation with union leaders, and we eagerly await their response,” a Providence spokesman wrote in a press release.

A spokesperson for the Oregon Nurses Association responded, also in a written statement, “We are happy that Providence has finally decided to do the right thing,” to reach a deal and end the strike.

The two sides haven’t agreed on dates to talk yet.

The Tuesday announcement came one day after Providence said it wanted to restart talks with some of its unionized nurses, and four days after thousands walked off the job as part of an indefinite strike.

A spokesman said Providence notified federal mediators Monday that it is “now in a position to discuss resuming mediated negotiations” with union representatives at Providence hospitals in Seaside, Hood River, Medford, Milwaukie, Newberg, and Willamette Falls.

Providence had refused to discuss its nurses’ contracts since the union announced on Dec. 30 that it was considering an indefinite strike. Providence says its practice of withdrawing from negotiations once it receives a strike notice is due to the time it takes to hire and train replacement workers to keep its health care facilities running safely during a walkout. The nurses’ union has accused Providence of employing the policy to intimidate workers out of striking.