This post was updated Nov. 16 at 9:49 p.m.
The California Nurses Association’s UC nurses reached a tentative agreement with the University on Sunday – and called off their Nov. 17 and 18 strike.
CNA, which represents more than 25,000 registered nurses across 19 UC medical centers, had previously announced Nov. 6 that they would strike in support of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. CNA said in a press release it originally planned to strike to highlight a “retention crisis” at UC medical centers.
AFSCME Local 3299, which represents 37,000 patient care, service and skilled craft workers, said it was striking because the UC has allegedly failed to reach a fair contract with its members. AFSCME Local 3299 is still set to strike, although another union – the University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119 – which was also originally set to participate in the strike, also reached an agreement with the University on Nov. 8 after 17 months of bargaining, and called off their strike.
[Related: After more than a year, UC reaches contract with UPTE-CWA 9119]
Kristan Delmarty, a bargaining representative for the CNA, said in a press release the union was able to secure “important patient protections” in its tentative contract, including safeguards on artificial intelligence. Delmarty, a registered nurse at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, added that CNA was also able to limit the “rampant misuse of floating” – when a registered nurse works in different hospital units to fill gaps – in its contract.
“Going into this round of bargaining, it was our priority to ensure UC nurses were given the resources to care for our patients and ourselves after years of short-staffing and under-resourcing,” Delmarty said.
[Related: ‘They’ve taken away the flexibility’ UCLA float pool nurses raise job concerns]
Missy Matella, the associate vice president for systemwide employee relations at the UC Office of the President, said in a statement that the tentative agreement shows the “tireless work” of the UC’s bargaining team and nurses.
“We’re grateful to the nurses and the CNA bargaining team for their partnership and shared commitment to what matters most: our patients and the UC community,” Matella said. “This strong, forward-looking deal honors the vital role nurses play in delivering exceptional care and advancing UC’s public service mission.”
Thousands of nurses still plan to join AFSCME Local 3299 in their picketing but no longer during working shifts, CNA said in the press release. UPTE-CWA 9119 is also encouraging members to join AFSCME Local 3299’s picket lines during off-hours, according to its website.
[Related: Nurses rally for new contract with safer staffing, working conditions]
De Neve Residential Restaurant, Feast at Rieber, Epicuria at Covel and food trucks will be the only dining options open on the Hill during AFSCME Local 3299’s strike, UCLA Housing and Hospitality said in an emailed statement. They added in the statement that the open dining locations will adopt a to-go model to accommodate a larger number of students.
Housekeeping services will be modified, and mail services could also be impacted, UCLA Housing and Hospitality said in the statement.
“We achieved our goal and now we stand together with our AFSCME colleagues, whose essential work demands the same resources guaranteed by a fair contract,” Delmarty said in the press release.
