BAKERSFIELD: Memorial Hospital Nurses, Management Reach Agreement

      After 10 months of negotiations and three strikes, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital administrators and nurse representatives agreed on a tentative union contract Monday afternoon, narrowly averting a strike planned for Dec. 24. Don Nielsen, chief negotiator for the California Nurses Association, which represents the Memorial nurses, said the union won many of its desired concessions from management. And, said Nielsen, "we're hopeful this will set the foundation for improvement in the relationship between management and the nurses." The nurses, who are expected to ratify, will vote on the agreement Jan. 5. The tentative contract includes: a retroactive 3% pay raise, 3% annual pay raises, paid education leave and a stipulation that managers must consult with the union before making any major changes (Terwilleger, Bakersfield Californian, 12/20).