Below is some important information from the University of California concerning a recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board regarding union representation for hospital nurses.

In a 3-2 vote, the National Labor Relations Board recently ruled that nurses who regularly perform duties as charge nurses by assigning work to other employees, could be designated supervisors. Under federal labor law, supervisors do not have a right to participate in a union.

Citing potential erosion of employee rights and benefits, nurses’ unions, including the California Nurses Association which represents UC nurses, have scheduled demonstrations protesting the ruling. CNA has also threatened to strike any facility that seeks to “exploit” the ruling.

UC nurses, and the patients and communities served by UC, should be aware this ruling applies only to private-sector hospitals and does not impact UC facilities or in any way threaten the employment status, terms of employment, or labor rights of UC nurses represented by CNA.

UC fully honors all employees’ labor rights under state law, the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act.

UC medical facilities offer some of the best patient care in the country and UC's nurses play a vital role in helping the university deliver that care. As part of its ongoing commitment to recognizing nurses’ many contributions, UC medical facilities offer some of the most attractive and generous compensation and benefits packages available in today's healthcare market.

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