The University of California and the California Nurses Association (CNA) have reached agreement on a four-year contract that recognizes the integral role nurses play in delivering excellent patient care across UC’s five world-renowned medical centers, UC announced today (Oct. 1).
“This agreement supports the continuing hard work and dedication of our nurses,” said UC’s Vice President of Human Resources Dwaine B. Duckett. “We are grateful for their service to UC, to patients, and to communities across California.”
“Leadership from both sides worked hard at the table to resolve a very complex set of issues. This is a good, fair deal,” he added.
Highlights of the new systemwide contract, effective through October 31, 2022, include:
- Annual wage increases of 3 percent for the next four years, along with continual step increases for eligible nurses.
- Quality health benefits at the same rates as other UC employees, with a limit of $25 per month on premium increases for Kaiser and Blue & Gold health plans.
- The same excellent retirement benefits for new nurses as current nurses until April 2020, after which time either side may reopen the issue.
Approximately 14,000 nurses work across UC’s five academic medical centers — UC Davis Medical Center, UC Irvine Medical Center, UCLA Health, UC San Diego Health and UCSF Medical Center — and student health centers.