Nurses Reach Tentative Deal with UC, Avoid Strike Action

More than 24,000 registered nurses employed by the University of California (UC) hospitals statewide, including approximately 4,000 at UC San Diego Health, have decided to report to work on Monday. This follows the announcement of a tentative agreement on a new contract reached on October 1, 2024, just hours before a planned two-day sympathy strike with service workers.

The decision significantly reduces the number of workers expected to participate in the strike called by members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME). These service workers have been negotiating for improved wages and benefits since their contract expired in August 2024. Initially, the participation of nurses, alongside AFSCME members, would have brought the total number of striking workers to an estimated 65,000 statewide. With nurses opting to continue their work, that number is now closer to 40,000.

The details of the tentative nursing contract, which has been under negotiation since June, were not disclosed on Sunday. However, UC indicated in a statement on October 2 that it has proposed a 27% wage increase over five years, which includes a 7% increase in the first year and a one-time cash payment, the specifics of which remain unspecified. The financial implications of the previous contract package were estimated at $1.1 billion across the university’s six medical campuses.

While the absence of nurses from the picket lines is expected to lessen disruption for patients, the AFSCME strike will still impact operations. An internal notice from the California Nurses Association (CNA) noted that the university is preparing to deploy temporary workers and volunteers to cover shifts during the strike.

As negotiations continue, the focus remains on the essential roles both nurses and service workers play within the UC health system, emphasizing the importance of reaching agreements that support both fair compensation and the operational needs of the university.