The contract caps healthcare premium increases and includes protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention, while restricting floating nurses between facilities and enhancing meal and rest breaks.

It guarantees a minimum 18.5% pay increase over the life of the agreement and includes protections aimed at improving patient safety and nurse retention.

California Nurses Association brokered and announced ratification of the deal after votes concluded on a Saturday.

CNA member bargaining teams, including nurses like Marlene Tucay of UC Irvine, say the deal improves outcomes for both nurses and patients.

The contract assigns a central role for registered nurses in selecting, designing, and validating new technology, including AI systems used in patient care.

Workplace violence prevention policies are strengthened under the agreement.

The agreement addresses staffing and resource concerns to reverse prior short-staffing trends and provide better support for nurses and patients.

The University of California registered nurses ratified a new four-year contract covering about 25,000 nurses across 19 facilities, effective through January 31, 2029.

Coverage extends across UC’s 19 medical centers and campuses, with aims to improve nurse retention and patient safety through 2029.

Approximately 24,000 UC registered nurses ratified the four-year agreement spanning UC Medical Centers and campuses.

CNA members highlighted patient protections, reduced misuse of floating staff, and safeguards around AI as core accomplishments.

Additional stipulations include limits on floating RNs between facilities, better meal and rest breaks, and stronger workplace-violence prevention policies.

The agreement runs from November 2025 to January 2029 and guarantees an 18.5% minimum wage increase over that period.