Red Cross, Nurses Reach Pact

A tentative three-year agreement was reached today by Red Cross officials and striking nurses in Los Angeles and Orange counties after an all-night meeting, both sides announced.

Teresa Conrow, spokeswoman for the local Service Employees International Union that represents the 225 striking nurses, said the union’s bargaining committee will recommend acceptance of the tentative pact. Nurses will vote on the accord this afternoon. Strikers sought a 6% pay boost in the first year and to have licensed vocational nurses earn the same wages as do registered nurses, contending that both do the same work.