Nurses threaten to strike on May 29

By Sabrina Singhapattanapong
Daily Bruin Contributor
ssinghapattanapong@media.ucla.edu

Three months of bargaining with the university ended Wednesday
with the California Nurses Association calling for a one-day strike
““ the first ever in CNA’s 18-year history with the
UC.

The 8,000 nurses at the five UC medical centers say they will
strike on May 29 unless the university offers a better
contract.

“Unfortunately, we reached this point because of the
proposal they offered us,” said UCLA nurse negotiator Maxine
Terk.

UC officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Nurses are seeking a seniority-based wage system, higher wages,
no mandatory overtime and better nurse-to-patient ratios ““
demands which were not met, Terk said.

According to Terk, the university offered nurses a 5 percent
wage increase across the board, 1 percent merit increase for nurses
that “exceed expectations” and a 2 percent increase for
per diem nurses ““ temporary nurses working odd shifts.

The university wanted to implement higher nurse-to-patient
ratios by “diluting” the ratios with non-registered
nurses instead, she added.

“We are open to coming back to talk to (university
officials) if they have something reasonable to present to
us,” Terk said.

Both parties are to meet May 22.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *