UC Hospital Workers Strike Averted By Contract Deal

OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- Union officials say a planned strike by thousands of University of California hospital workers has been averted after contract talks yielded a deal.

City News Service reported Sunday that a proposed four-year contract will keep 13,000 patient care technical workers on the job.

The workers who perform MRIs and other procedures had planned to strike on Monday.

The workers voted to authorize a strike after the hospitals decided to impose new contract terms that included additional layoff powers.

Officials at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 3299, say the new deal includes fair wage increases, secure benefits, staffing protections and pension reform.