Members of United Nurses Association of California/ Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/ UHCP) just ratified a new three-year contract after months of negotiations. (Photo by Christy McConville)

This post from United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) was written by Christy McConville, UNAC Communications Director.

With the threat of takeaways hanging over negotiations, more than 1,500 members of United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) have ratified a new three-year contract with Kaiser Permanente in Southern California that includes yearly raises and protects their pensions.

Members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract July 18. A tentative agreement was signed in May.

Heavy member participation during nine days of bargaining sessions from March through May was credited with preventing any contract losses. “Our presence at bargaining sessions is vital to the outcome,” said Janet Kazibwe, an RN in the Kaiser Downey telemetry unit.

The UNAC/UHCP-represented nurses work at Kaiser facilities throughout Southern California.

Strong member activism proved crucial to a successful outcome even before bargaining began.

In April, for instance, thousands of members “buttoned up” with campaign buttons to show unity throughout Southern California Kaiser facilities. “Every member counts when fighting for our cause,” said Kaiser Sunset’s Tina Ang, RN in the surgery unit.

“Bargaining was a great experience and I learned a lot,” said RN Alicia Villalobos, from Kaiser’s West Los Angeles neonatal intensive care unit. “I see now how all this ties together.”