University of California officials today (Oct. 5) announced they have reached a tentative agreement with the California Nurses Association regarding a labor contract for the more than 8,500 nurses who work in UC medical and student health facilities.

Negotiations first began in April and recently involved the outside assistance of a neutral, state-appointed mediator. Union officials informed the university they had accepted a compromise offer made by the university during the fact-finding process.

“This is good news for our nurses, our patients, and the many communities we serve throughout the state,” said Howard Pripas, UC executive director for labor relations. “Our nurses play a vital role in the delivery of excellent health care that UC is known for, and they deserve a good contract that both reflects and rewards the quality of their work.”

These limited-subject negotiations involved four topics: wages, health benefits, retiree health benefits and issues related to rest periods. Highlights of the agreement reached on these four issues are as follows:

-- Wages: UC’s objective was to keep nurse salaries competitive at all five medical centers and nurses will receive salary increases of between five and nine percent generally under the new agreement;

 -- Health benefits: Nurses will continue to be part of the UC health care program, receiving the same benefits offered to all other UC employees;

 -- Retiree health benefits: The UC and the nurse union agreed that no change would be made to the benefits of current retirees through June 30, 2007;

 -- Rest periods: Compensation will be provided to a nurse when a requested and offered break could not be provided.

The terms of the agreement will be in effect through the remainder of the existing larger contract between the parties, which is set to expire June 30, 2007. Negotiations on a new comprehensive contract may begin as early as April of 2007.

An unfair labor practice filed by UC against the union in June for bad-faith bargaining will be withdrawn upon the union’s ratification of the tentative agreement.

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