National Nurses United

O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 11 CALIFORNIA R egistered nurses at the five major University of California (UC) medical centers, 10 student health centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ratified in September a new master contract agree- ment featuring a host of improvements and protections for both patients and nurses. The five-year contract, which covers 14,000 RNs in the UC system, would run through October 2022. "This is such a tremendous accomplish- ment by nurses throughout the state, who stood strong for our patients and won the protections that they deserve, because we will never stop advocating for safe patient care and for the rights of nurses as we provide that care," said University of Califor- nia, San Francisco RN and bargaining team member Randy Howell, RN. Howell noted that the victory came after the anti-union Janus v. AFSCME decision and in an envi- ronment where corporate forces are attack- ing unions, particularly those representing public-sector workers. "We are so proud of our nurse leadership for standing up for our patients, families, and community," said University of Califor- nia, Los Angeles RN and bargaining team member Valerie Ewald. "This victory would not be possible without the dedication and sacrifice we've made through the last 20 months of this contract fight." Contract highlights include: • Supporting safe staffing for safe patient care. The agreement includes protections for staffing based on patient acuity, not based on UC budgetary goals; protections from unsafe assignments to areas requiring specialty expertise; improved protections around shift rotation; and language ensur- ing RNs' right to take their lawful meal and rest breaks. • Workplace violence and sexual harass- ment protections. The contract states UC facilities must have a comprehensive work- place violence prevention plan in place, in line with California's nation-leading work- place violence law, as well as protections from sexual harassment. "Nurses in Califor- nia are fortunate to live in a state with the strongest health care workplace violence regulations in that nation, thanks to CNA nurses' hard work," said RN Maureen Berry of University of California, Irvine. "But our employers also need to be held accountable for following the law, so it's a big win to have strong contract language stating that UC is responsible for keeping nurses, and also patients and their families, safe from violence." • Infectious disease protections. The agreement includes language strengthening the policies and equipment necessary to control the spread of communicable diseases in the hospital. • Economic gains and pension protec- tions to help recruit and retain experienced nurses. The tentative pact includes pay increases of at least 15 percent over the term of the contract, with additional wages that address economic disparity for a number of locations and job classifications. The pact preserves and protects pension benefits. "We are beyond thrilled at this huge achievement, which is not just a win for RNs, but for everyone in our care. We did this for communities all over California, because it is our duty to advocate for them," said bargaining team member Michelle Kay, a nurse practitioner who works at the University of California, Berkeley student health center. "UC nurses showed that we will never stop fighting, and because we are fighting for what's just, we will stand up for public health and safety until we win the protections our patients deserve." —Staff report University of California RNs settle major contract Pact is one of largest, covering 14,000 nurses

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