Union says nurses at 86 California Kaiser hospitals, clinics approve new three-year contract

A union says Kaiser Permanente nurses in California have approved a new contract that boosts pay and improves patient care along with health and safety protections for nurses.

The California Nurses Association said Monday that registered nurses and nurse practitioners who work at 21 hospitals and 65 clinics across Northern and Central California voted last week to approve the new three-year deal.

The union said the new contract includes a 14 percent pay raise over three years.

About 18,000 Kaiser Perm nurses in the state went on a two-day strike in November, and another walkout was planned for last week but an agreement was reached.

The California Nurses Association represents 18,000 Kaiser nurses. Those workers are part of the National Nurses United organization.

A Kaiser representative did not have an immediate comment Monday.