Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals plan to begin a three-day strike Nov. 26 at San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare.
The union represents one unit of 5,700 registered nurses and a second unit of 127 healthcare professionals — including pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, medical social workers, registered dietitians and speech-language pathologists — according to a union news release shared with Becker’s. Sharp, which includes four acute-care hospitals, five specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups, a health plan and various outpatient facilities and programs, has more than 20,000 employees total.
Union members voted to authorize a strike earlier this month. The registered nurses began negotiating a new labor contract with Sharp in July, according to UNAC/UHCP. The 127 healthcare professionals at Sharp Chula Vista (Calif.) Medical Center began bargaining for their first contract in February. In a news release shared with Becker’s, Sharp said that during negotiations, it “offered resolution of three key issues in its economic package, including significant increases to nurse pay, enhanced sick leave policies and better retirement benefits.”
The union contends that Sharp rejected proposals to fix staffing, protect patients and retain experienced caregivers. “Our patients deserve caregivers who are healthy, supported and able to give them their full attention. We’re fighting for basic respect, for safe staffing and for a system that protects both nurses and the San Diego community we serve,” Andrea Muir, RN, a medical-surgical telemetry nurse and president of the Sharp Professional Nurses Network, said in the union release.
“While it’s unfortunate that the union leaders have rejected our generous economic proposal, our highest priority is making sure our patients continue to receive outstanding care should a strike actually occur,” Rita Essaian, DM, MHA, senior vice president and chief people officer at Sharp, said in a statement. “If a strike takes place, it’s important for San Diegans to know that we will ensure adequate staffing levels at all times with Sharp staff and the specially trained traveling nurses.”
