Nurses union says swine flu protections written into contracts with Calif. hospital chain

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Nurses union says swine flu measures in contracts

LOS ANGELES — A California nurses union says it won’t strike after swine flu protections were written into new contracts with the state’s largest hospital system.

The California Nurses Association had threatened a one-day strike at 32 Catholic Healthcare West hospitals if state and federal swine flu protection recommendations weren’t included in their contracts.

Terms announced Monday include close monitoring of workplace safety conditions and broad availability of protective gear.

The union complained about poor access to protective masks after a 51-year-old Sacramento nurse died in July after contracting swine flu.

The contract, which must be ratified by union members, includes a 20 percent wage increase over four years.