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Nursing at CCHS > FAQ > Frequently Asked Questions about the County's negotiations with the California Nurses Association

Frequently Asked Questions about the County's negotiations with the California Nurses Association

What's the status of the contract between Contra Costa County and the California Nurses Association (CNA)?

The current contract, which began October 1, 2005, was scheduled to expire January 31, 2008. Both parties agreed to a two-week contract extension with an option to extend the contract a second two-week period. The County and the CNA have been in negotiations for a new contract since October.

Are all nursing positions in the County covered by this contract?

There are 556 registered nurses in Contra Costa Health Services who are covered by this contract. Licensed vocational nurses and Public Health Nurses are represented by Local 1 and are not covered by this contract.

Who negotiates for the County?

The County has a negotiating team that includes Health Services administration, Health Services personnel and Human Resource professionals.

What is the timeline?

The County has been negotiating with CNA since October 25, 2007 and has been meeting on a regular basis. The County has expressed its willingness to negotiate every day, if necessary, until an agreement is reached.

What are the issues being discussed?

There are more than a dozen issues that CNA has presented. The County has additional items on the table for discussion. They cover topics such as benefits, working conditions and vacation and holiday scheduling. Check the most recent Bulletin for the latest information about items discussed.

Can Contra Costa compete with other counties in nurse recruitment?

The County's total compensation package - wages and benefits - is competitive with Bay Area hospitals and other organizations.

Given the current state and local budget concerns, how could the County offer improved wages and benefits?

Since the county cannot tax, its ability to generate more revenue is limited. So if wages and benefits are increased for any group of employees, the County and the Department will have to look at its overall budget to determine where funds can be reallocated.

For more information, email jfreestone@hsd.cccounty.us Because of the confidentiality of negotiations, specific details about the contract cannot be discussed by County staff. CNA members should contact their local CNA representatives for additional details.