CNA Contract Negotiations:
Facts & Updates
Staying Informed
We understand that collective bargaining can raise questions or concerns for patients, families, employees and the broader community. We are committed to sharing accurate, timely information through official Keck Medicine of USC communications.
Latest Updates
June 1, 2026 – USC Care Update
May 29, 2026 – Important Updates Following Contract Ratification
Following the recent ratification of the new agreement between Keck Medical/Norris Cancer Center and the California Nurses Association (CNA), we are pleased to share important updates related to compensation and benefits – including a Special Enrollment Period.
May 22 – USC Care Nurse Town Hall – CNA Update (meeting recording)
May 14 – Update
We’re pleased to share that Keck Medical Center and the California Nurses Association (CNA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement following productive and collaborative negotiations. This proposed agreement reflects meaningful investments in nurses, supports patient care, and strengthens the future of Keck Medical Center as both parties move forward together.
Tentative Agreement
Our Approach to Bargaining
We are bargaining in good faith and remain committed to a process that is:
Respectful
We honor employees’ rights to free speech and collective bargaining and expect all participants to engage professionally and responsibly.
Transparent
We share updates through official channels so stakeholders understand what is being proposed and why.
Solution-oriented
Our focus is on realistic, sustainable proposals that reflect both meaningful investment in nurses and the realities of delivering exceptional patient care today and in the future.
Our goal is resolution—through thoughtful engagement and mutual accountability.
Respect for Our Nurses
We value the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our nurses. They are important members of our care team, and we are committed to continued investment in nursing — supporting professional development, workplace stability, and a strong care environment.
We recognize that everyone impacted, including nurses, may hold a range of perspectives about the bargaining process. We respect those views. Whatever the outcome, our focus remains on building a workplace rooted in respect, collaboration and shared responsibility.
Keck Medical Center offers a strong combination of compensation, PTO, professional development, and everyday support that makes this a great place to work and grow.
Our proposals at bargaining will continue to reflect meaningful investment in nurses, building on our strong suite of benefits.
Providing generous time off, so you can do more outside of work.
Time away matters. Whether you’re new, mid-career, or experienced, Keck Medicine leads the market in PTO accruals for Registered Nurses.
Everyday Support
Keck Medical Center offers a strong combination of compensation, PTO, professional development, and everyday support that makes this a great place to work and grow.
Our proposals at bargaining will continue to reflect meaningful investment in nurses, building on our strong suite of benefits. Our goal is simple: to reach a fair and forward-looking agreement that respects nurses, protects patients, and strengthens the long-term future of Keck Medical Center.
PTO Accruals by Exeprience Level
Compared to other Los Angeles hospitals, KMC nurses earn more PTO across experience levels.
Supporting education and growth – for you and your family.
Full-time RNs are eligible for USC Tuition Assistance Benefits — among the strongest in healthcare and higher education.
USC is a proud member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) program, offering children of university employees the opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree at one of 700+ member schools at significant savings.
RNs also receive annual education reimbursement:
Patient Care Comes First
Patient care and safety remain our highest priority. Clinical standards, staffing plans and care delivery operations continue as normal. We are committed to ensuring that negotiations do not compromise the care our patients expect and deserve.
Our Commitment to the Community
As a leading academic medical center, employer and community partner, Keck Medical Center remains committed to:
- Doing what is right for our patients
- Supporting our workforce
- Ensuring financial stability and long‑term sustainability
- Serving our community with integrity and transparency
We appreciate the trust our patients and community place in us and will continue to communicate responsibly as negotiations move forward.
Ask a Question
Please share your questions and concerns with your Keck Hospital/USC Norris Bargaining Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
USC Care Nurses: Why are USC Care nurses not covered by the recently ratified contract between Keck Hospital/Norris Cancer Hospital and the CNA?
The contract negotiated with CNA only applies to the nurses employed at Keck Hospital and the Norris Cancer Hospital. The nurses who work at USC Care are employed by USC Care, and as a result, require a separate contract.
USC Care Nurses: What is a “same as” agreement and why is it necessary now?
A “same-as” agreement means that a bargaining unit – in this case the USC Care nurses – accepts the terms of a contract negotiated with a different bargaining unit – in this case, the nurses at Keck Hospital/Norris Cancer Hospital. Agreeing to a “same-as” agreement eliminates the need for additional negotiations which can be lengthy and uncertain in their outcome.
USC Care Nurses: What wage increases am I currently scheduled to receive?
Even without a “same-as” contract in place, USC Care has committed to providing USC Care nurses with the same Year 1 increase in the newly ratified Keck contract. In addition, USC Care nurses would also receive a special one-time payment of $1,000 (Full-time), $750 (Part-time), or $250 (Per Diem). Year 2 and 3 increases would not be guaranteed for USC Care nurses, unless the “same-as” agreement is in place.
USC Care Nurses: What happens if the “same as” agreement is not signed by CNA?
If the “same-as” contract is not signed, the USC Care nurses would not benefit from the contract’s guarantees regarding salary, health insurance, and other provisions. Possibly most importantly, if an agreement is not reached by May 27th, USC Care nurses will not be eligible for the special open enrollment for the EPO Select plan.
USC Care Nurses: Why is the “same-as” agreement necessary for the USC Care nurses to participate in the upcoming special open enrollment for EPO Select?
The EPO Select plan is only available to eligible employees and requires a ratified collective bargaining agreement for employees to be eligible for the plan.
USC Care Nurses: Why do decisions need to be made so quickly, by May 27?
To prepare for the special enrollment period available to nurses under a new contract, the “same-as” agreement must be agreed to by May 27. The open enrollment period will begin in early June and be effective on July 1, 2026.
USC Care Nurses: The union is saying that USC Care nurses are included in the agreement with the Keck nurses. Who is correct?
The Union is aware that USC Care nurses are not included in the Keck contract. The union was directly informed of this as early as July 2025. The nurses who work at USC Care are employed by USC Care, not Keck Hospital/Norris Cancer Hospital, and require a separate contract. The union has indicated it would like to merge the two bargaining units, but this requires a lengthy legal process that could take years to resolve.
USC Care Nurses: We’ve been paying union dues and are part of CNA. Why are we not included in this contract?
The USC Care nurses were not included in the Keck/Norris negotiations because USC Care is a separate non-profit corporation and you are employed by USC Care and not Keck/Norris. This does not change your relationship (or dues) to CNA, but it does require a separate contract. If CNA accepts the “same-as” agreement for USC Care nurses, you will enjoy the same wages, benefits and other terms as if you had been included in the Keck/Norris negotiations.
Why is the total salary increase percentage shown in my individualized report greater than the sum of the three annual increases?
Your total percentage increase is greater over the three years because of compounding. For example, those earning the minimum percentage increase under the proposed contract would receive annual wage increases of 6.25% in Year 1, followed by 3% increases in Years 2 and 3. The increase in Year 2 is based on the higher wage in Year 1, and the Year 3 increase is based on the Year 2 rate. As a result, the contract delivers a total compounded wage increase of 12.73% over the life of the contract, rather than 12.25%. This compounding effect appears in your individualized report.
What are the highlights of the new Tentative Agreement (TA)?
We encourage you to review the TA in detail. Both committees worked hard to shape an agreement that invests in nurses, supports patients, and strengthens the future of Keck Medical Center. A few key highlights include:
- Increasing base wages by an average of 9.2% after ratification, and an average of 19.3% over the life of the contract — with larger increases for many nurses, and increased minimums for RNs who already earn above-scale.
- Creating a special open enrollment period to allow bargaining unit RNs to opt into no-premium healthcare coverage through the EPO Select plan, effective July 1 — allowing a significant cost-savings for many nurses. Note: This special enrollment period requires contract ratification before May 27, otherwise the no-premium health plan cannot be available this year.
- Providing a one-time payment for all bargaining unit RNs: $1,000, $750, and $250 for full-time, part-time, and per diem nurses, respectively.
- Increase of guaranteed resource nurse hours.
- PTO and time off don’t change.
For individualized information, please consult your personal compensation letter prior to voting, and reach out to [email protected] with any questions. And remember: These wage increases and benefits only go into effect if the TA is ratified. Please be sure to vote “yes” if you support this new agreement between the CNA and Keck Medical Center negotiating teams.
How can I vote to ratify the TA, so that I can receive my wage increases?
Your voice matters in this process. If you want to see wage increases and other benefits implemented this year, we strongly encourage you to cast a “yes” vote and support ratification. CNA will provide details about the date and location for voting.
What happens if the TA is not ratified?
We are proud of this agreement, and we sincerely hope it will be ratified resoundingly. If you have questions or don’t understand what a ratified TA would mean for your wages and benefits, we encourage you to reach out to Patrick Zvara (HR) or the Salary Admin team ([email protected]) prior to voting. We are happy to provide information and answer questions.
That said, if the TA were to be rejected:
Most immediately: It would not be possible to hold the special open enrollment period to allow RNs to enroll in no-premium health insurance coverage this year. Many nurses would lose out on substantial savings.
Bigger picture: Terms and agreements worked out over many months might need to be scrapped, and the parties would need to return to negotiations with no guarantee of a better result or of when a resolution would be reached. That means more time would elapse without implementing the wage increases we have been eager to provide.
What did the CNA and Keck Medical Center bargaining committees agree to regarding disciplinary actions given for completing HealthStream modules at home?
All in-progress disciplinary action related to the March 19 memo will be rescinded and removed from employee personnel files. Moving forward, the parties acknowledged that Keck Medical Center maintains the right to administer remote education in accordance with its policies. Leaders have the ability to manage remote learning for their employees.
Can I continue working (cross the picket line) if there is another strike?
We are actively considering a plan that would allow nurses to make the choice to continue working during a potential future strike, but the Medical Center has not made a final decision yet. We sincerely hope it will not be necessary. We are bargaining in good faith and outlining a strong path forward, and we believe a strike would be counterproductive. We appreciate your dedication and will share more information if we need to.
What are the CNA and Keck Medical Center negotiating about?
Keck Medical Center is engaged in a formal collective bargaining process with nurses represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA). Through this process, both parties are discussing a range of workplace issues with the goal of reaching a fair, forward looking agreement that supports nurses, protects patient care and strengthens the long term future of Keck Hospital of USC.
Is Keck Hospital of USC bargaining in good faith?
Yes. Bargaining in good faith means participating honestly and constructively in a formal collective bargaining process with the intent to reach agreement. Keck Medical Center is engaged in that process by meeting regularly with the union at the bargaining table, listening to nurses’ concerns, considering proposals and working toward practical, mutually responsible solutions through respectful, professional dialogue.