Univ. of California, Nurses Reach Pact Boosting Wages, Safety (1)

Nurses at University of California facilities begin voting Sept. 18 on a proposed contract that would give 14,000-plus registered nurses a 15 percent raise over five years and boost safety protections.

The proposed agreement was reached after 20 months of negotiations between the system and the California Nurses Association. Safety issues, particularly workplace violence prevention, and retirement benefits for future nurses were central concerns in the talks. The CNA in May joined a sympathy strike to support American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, the university’s largest employee union.

Nurses at five UC medical centers, 10 campus ...