After 14 months of negotiations, registered nurses at Tri-City Medical Center have settled a 3.5 year agreement with major gains and a first-ever schedule for raises based on years of experience. This agreement will lead to better recruitment and retention of nurses and improve patient care. 


The ratification vote took place yesterday. Registered nurses turned out in large numbers and voted overwhelmingly in favor of the new agreement. In addition to economic gains, the contract specifies changes in staffing, scheduling, health and safety protocols, and protections for senior RN’s and new graduates. This includes workplace violence protection language, safe patient handling, mandating education and training and safe staffing.

The new contract covers more than 700 RNs.


"This contract is a victory for the entire community, as well as the RNs. The agreement will address the historic recruitment and retention issues that have caused several hundred RNs to leave over that last few years. Retaining our experienced nurses will be a great service to our community as it translates into quality patient care."
- Alyce Budde, PACU RN 27 years at Tri-City.

"I’m excited that we have a contract that will retain our experienced nurses, its great news for our patients!”
-Tamara Million RN ED 12 years at Tri-City.


The California Nurses Association has 100,000 members and is affiliated with National Nurses United, the largest and fastest growing union of registered nurses in the US with more than 150,000 members nationwide. CNA/NNU plays a leadership role in safeguarding the health and safety of RNs and their patients and has won landmark legislation in the areas of staffing, safe patient handling, infectious disease and workplace violence prevention.