Nurses’ Union, University of California Agree on New Contract Terms
Officials for the California Nurses Association and UC reached an agreement on terms for a new three-year contract as a mediation period grew close to expiring, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Darcé, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/18).
The tentative agreement calls for average salary increases of 6% for the first year (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 3/17). The contract also includes provisions to negotiate pay increases in 2009 and 2010 (San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/18).
Nicole Savickus, a UC spokesperson, said back pay will be paid out in one lump sum after the contract is ratified.
Under the agreement, nurses retain the same health care and pension benefits as other UC employees through Sept. 30, when discussions about retirement benefits and wages can be reopened.
The proposed contract also deals with:
- Shift rotations;
- Education and professional development; and
- Parking (Sacramento Business Journal, 3/17).
The contract would apply to nurses at UC medical centers and student health centers (Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, 3/18). About 8,800 nurses statewide would fall under the agreement.
Voting on the contract is scheduled for this week (Sacramento Business Journal, 3/17). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.