Nurses' contract extended by UC

[struggle4progress]

The deal allows more time for both sides to negotiate a new pact.
By Lisa Rapaport -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 30, 2005

The University of California on Friday agreed to a three-week contract extension with the union that represents 8,300 registered nurses statewide at UC hospitals, allowing extra time to reach a new deal to replace a pact that was set to expire at midnight.
Though contract talks began in February, the California Nurses Association and university officials remained far apart Friday on several bread-and-butter issues, including wage scales, paid time off and health benefits, the union and UC said.

"CNA is very disappointed with the package UC offered us today," said Beth Kean, who oversees the UC nurses division for the union. "The wages they proposed are still way below market. We are nowhere near resolving many of our biggest issues."

The union and UC agreed to extend the current contract until May 20 and return to the bargaining table May 17. <snip>

http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/12813298p-13663589c.html