UC Reaches Agreement with CNA on Three-Year Contract for University Nurses
University of California officials today (March 17) announced they have reached a tentative agreement with the California Nurses Association (CNA) regarding a labor contract for the more than 8,500 nurses who work in UC medical and student health facilities.
UC has been advised that CNA will conduct its ratification process within the next two weeks.
Negotiations began in April 2007, and the two parties recently concluded the fact-finding process. UC met with CNA on March 13, subsequent to the issuance of the fact-finding panel's report, and negotiations proceeded through March 15. At that time, the parties reached a compromise on a tentative agreement.
"This is extremely positive news for our nurses, our patients and the many communities we serve throughout the state," said Howard Pripas, UC executive director of labor relations. "Our nurses play a vital role in the delivery of excellent health care that UC is known for, and this contract continues the University's practice of providing competitive, market-based increases for the nurses in this bargaining unit throughout the UC system."
Highlights of the agreement are as follows:
- • Wages: Nurses at each of the UC medical centers will receive market-based increases to salary ranges averaging 6 percent for the first year of the contract, step increases for eligible nurses effective July 2008, and other increases to pay rates such as on-call and shift differential;
- • Benefits: Nurses will continue to be part of the UC health care program, receiving the same benefits offered to all other UC employees, and no change will be made to the benefits of current retirees through Sept. 30, 2008;
- • Articles important to UC nurses: The parties agreed on changes to a number of other articles, including educational/professional development, shift rotation and parking.