by May Silverstein, Mar 24, 2008

In California, 10,000 registered nurses represented by CNA/NNOC reach a tentative three-year contract and more from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.

Settlement
CNA/NNOC, University of California Medical Centers: Some 10,000 registered nurses at University of California medical centers, represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC), reached a tentative three-year agreement. The contract provides across-the-board 6 percent wage increases this year with future increases to be negotiated in the fall of 2008 and 2009, respectively, and maintains current pension and retiree health care benefits.

Negotiations
SAG/AFTRA, AMPTP: The Screen Actors (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) officially agreed to negotiate jointly with the major studios, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), on a new television and film contract, possibly beginning April 1.

AFTRA, Nickelodeon: AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth says Nickelodeon has been imposing a requirement “that the performer grant to the employer a right to a ‘profit participation’ interest in the talent’s third-party income as a condition of employment,” despite this action being outlawed by the bargaining agreement.  AFTRA is asking Nick to immediately cease offering such contracts.

GEU-AFT, MSU: Michigan State University (MSU) teaching assistants, represented by the Graduate Employees Union (GEU), an affiliate of the AFT, are asking for a 5 percent annual pay increase, a figure said to keep pace with annual cost of living increases in East Lansing. Their contract expires May 15.

UFCW, Giant Food/Safeway: In the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area, some 23,000 grocery workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals 400 and 27, are negotiating a new contract to replace the one slated to expire March 30 with two of the region’s largest grocers, Giant Food and Safeway. Safeway pre-emptively announced it is looking for temporary employees to operate its grocery stores in case there is a work stoppage.

Work Stoppages
ALPA, Pinnacle Airlines: Pilots at Pinnacle Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots (ALPA), are said to be moving closer to a possible strike due to “below-industry average” pay and three years of unsuccessful contract negotiations. Last month, the pilots opened a strike center in Bloomington, Minn. “It is time to move things up a notch. The company continues to negotiate at a pace that is perceived to be no concept of time,” says Scott Erickson, chairman of the ALPA unit at Pinnacle.

Organizing
CNA/NNOC, Saint Agnes Medical Center: Nurses at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Calif., are pushing for the second union vote in 10 years on whether to join CNA/NNOC.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only.  As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.

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