Orange County Global nurses ratify first, new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, Calif. voted overwhelmingly on Sept. 10, 2026 in favor of ratifying their inclusion into the existing union contract covering KPC Health registered nurses represented by California Nurses Association (CNA). This first contract for Orange County Global nurses secures them important new protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.

Nurses at Orange County Global just voted in June of this year to unionize.

"Winning our election by 91 percent and our contract ratification by 98 percent really is a testament to the power we have built," said Aiyana Rudolph, RN in the neuro direct observation unit. "I'm excited to continue this momentum as we fight and win more improvements across the hospital."

Highlights of the contract include: 

• A grievance and arbitration procedure
• Professional practice committee composed of direct-care registered nurses to address ongoing workplace issues
• Job security and layoff rights: To protect nurses in case of reduction in workforce and unit closures
• Economic gains to help retain and recruit experienced nurses. The agreement includes an average wage increase of 13 percent, weekend differential, and extra shift bonuses.
• No takeaways from existing standards, conditions, and benefits

The new pact covers the period of September 2026 to June 2027.

CNA represents more than 900 nurses across five KPC hospitals.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.