Registered nurses at University of California facilties, who are represented by the California Nurses Association, have approved a new three-year contract.
The agreement covers more than 17,000 nurses who work in medical and student health facilities at UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside, according to a July 9 union news release. It will run through October 2025.
"UC nurses are proud to ratify our new contract with the university," Dahlia Tayag, RN, a bargaining team member who works at UC San Diego, said in the release. "This agreement recognizes and rewards registered nurses for our service and commitment to our patients and communities across the UC system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic."
According to the union, the deal includes:
- Minimum across-the-board wage increases of 16 percent over the life of the contract
- Additional pay increases for UC San Diego and UC Irvine
- Eight weeks of fully paid family care and bonding leave
- Creation of two joint labor-management committees: one on health, safety and emerging infectious diseases and another on diversity, equity and inclusion
Letitia Silas, UC's executive director of systemwide labor relations, praised the deal.
"We believe this agreement recognizes the dedication, professionalism and quality of our nursing staff, and the extraordinary challenges they have faced for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic," she said in a July 9 statement. "We send our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all our nurses for their outstanding service to UC and our communities."