UC Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement
More than 11,000 registered nurses at five University of California (UC) hospitals are voting this week on a tentative 26-month contract that, if approved, would provide for significant improvements for patients and nurses. The nurses, members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), began voting yesterday on the pact at UC hospitals at Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Davis (Sacramento) and Irvine, as well as student health centers at other UC campuses. The voting continues through Thursday.
Key highlights of the pact include steps to ensure that nurses have time for meal and rest breaks during shifts so they remain alert and stronger contract provisions for RNs elected by their peers to address patient safety issues with managers. Additionally, the RNs were successful in limiting future increases in costs for their health coverage and gained pay increases that will average at least 11 percent over the term of the contract.
“UC RNs will be able to provide better care for our patients with this agreement,” said Janice Webb, a UC San Diego RN, nurse negotiator and CNA/NNU board member.
It will also help us retain our most experienced, senior RNs who provide such critical support and education for the younger staff.
UC Postdocs Without Contract Year After Choosing UAW
In August 2008, some 5,800 University of California (UC) postdoctoral researchers—”postdocs”—chose to join the UAW. But nearly a year later, they are still without a contract. A recent bargaining update on the Postdoctoral Researchers Organize/UAW (PRO/UAW) website said UC was “stalling and delaying” talks.
Union negotiators told the San Diego Union-Tribune that major issues, including wages, benefits, workload and workers’ rights are still on the table after months of negotiations. A UC spokesman told the paper talks were expected to go on for several more months.
