National Nurses United

NewsBriefs_MAy 6/2/11 3:11 PM Page 9 University of California RNs Win New Contract CALIFORNIA nding years of short-term contract fights, University of California registered nurses in May ratified a new 26-month collective bargaining agreement that provides for significant improvements for patients and nurses while protecting existing standards for UC RNs. About 12,000 RNs, who are represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, work throughout five major UC hospitals in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Davis (Sacramento), and Irvine, as well as student health centers at other UC E campuses. UC is one of the largest academic healthcare systems in the country. Key highlights of the pact include provisions to assure that RNs are able to take meal and rest breaks during shifts so they remain alert to care for patients, and stronger contract provisions for facility RNs elected by their peers to address patient safety issues with managers. Additionally the RNs were successful in limiting future increases in costs for their health coverage, rejection of contract concessions sought by UC officials, and won pay increases that will average at least 11 percent over the next 26 months for all UC nurses. Nurses across the UC system praised the new contract for the progress it makes in promoting safe patient care and in ensuring that UC remains a competitive and attractive place to work, especially for experienced nurses. "Our senior RNs provide such critical support and education for the younger staff," said Janice Webb, a UC San Diego RN, nurse negotiator, and CNA/NNU board member. At UCLA last July, noted UCLA RN Manny Punzalan, the nurses won initial improvements for long-term RNs. "With this contract, we won additional gains for senior nurses again at UCLA and across the system, making future retirement years more secure," said Punzalan. "To all UC nurses, we are sending a clear message: You deserve to retire with dignity." Others emphasized that it is important to remember that the latest contract builds upon gains won by UC nurses year after year, decade after decade. "We, the senior nurses at Santa Monica, never forget the times that we didn't have a union and were without representation," said Ann Brown, a UCLA RN and nurse negotiator. "Every contract negotiation has brought us further improvement in our working conditions and this one is no exception." —Staff report DC Nurses Win New Contract WASHINGTON, D.C. fter a protracted contract fight and a March strike, registered nurses at Washington Hospital Center, the largest medical facility in the nation's A M AY 2 0 1 1 capital, voted in May to ratify a new contract with their employer. "As the ratification vote shows, nurses are pleased with what we were able to achieve in this agreement, which is superior to what management previously imposed on us," said Emma Bioc, RN and bargaining committee member. " This was a 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 long and difficult struggle. I am proud that the nurses stood in solidarity with each other and for our patients. This contract respects our professional practice, our expertise, and dedication." The new agreement, which covers 1,650 RNs, includes a new staffing matrix that (Continued on page 10) N AT I O N A L N U R S E 9

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