The University of California nurses will receive a 2 percent step increase in July as negotiations with the California Nurses Association (CNA) continue.
The 2 percent step increase will be effective July 7, 2013 for all eligible nurses.
Meanwhile, negotiations continued June 25–27, 2013 for a new contract covering more than 11,000 UC nurses systemwide.
UC is committed to providing a competitive compensation package, including wages, health benefits and retirement benefits, to employees. This past week, UC proposed continued step increases for all eligible nurses and annual wage increases of 1 percent to 3 percent for medical center nurses, based on salary survey data on the prevailing wages in each location's market.
The university's intent is to provide nurses with competitive market wages. UC's commitment to competitive compensation is clear:
- The average UC nurse earns $117,663 a year.
- Some nurses earn more, including some nurse practitioners who earn an average of $138,979 a year and senior anesthetist nurses who earn an average of $195,389 a year.
- Nurses received a 4 percent salary range increase at medical center locations in 2012 and 2013, as well as a 2% step increase.
UC and CNA also discussed other issues during the three-day bargaining session, such as eligibility for shift differential and holiday overtime.
The current contract ended June 30, 2013. Although a new agreement hasn't been reached yet, the university is hopeful that it can reach a new contract that is fair and protects the quality of UC and patient care.
The university and union are working together on scheduling the next bargaining session. UC will provide additional updates as they become available.
For more news and bargaining updates, visit http://ucal.us/UCNurses