Page One Archive

October 2008 —

UC-CNA Bargaining Update October 2, 2008

The University concluded its initial fact-finding hearings with CNA during the last week of September and met for continued discussions on Wednesday, October 1.  These confidential discussions covering all issues open for bargaining were constructive, and the three fact-finding panel members will meet with UC and CNA advocates again on Tuesday, October 7.

During bargaining before fact-finding began, UC put forward several proposals which would:

·         Improve the language in staffing, specifically to strengthen “float” language in a number of ways including an explicit reference to age-specific competencies.

·         Offer two years of wage increases in order to ensure competitive compensation for nurses, including step advancement for eligible nurses in July of 2009 and 2010.  (Please see local salary offers for location-specific details.)

·         Ensure that it will not ask nurses to bear a disproportionate share in the cost in health care increases; and

·         Guarantee that the University will contribute at least the same amount as nurses to the UCRP and that employee contributions will begin in the form of a redirection of mandatory employee contributions currently going into the UC Defined Contribution Plan.

The University is still reviewing the newly-signed state budget and its impact on UC budgeting and is hopeful to finalize information about how the budget will impact the cost of UC’s health benefits in the coming weeks.