San Diego is bracing for the possibility of a strike as nurses at Sharp HealthCare have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a walkout. According to union officials, a striking 97% of nurses from the Sharp Professional Nurses Network and Sharp Chula Vista health care professionals voted in favor of the strike authorization, with the results announced on Friday, January 5, 2025.
The unions have notified Sharp officials of a potential walkout, giving them a ten-day notice. Negotiations are set to continue during scheduled bargaining sessions on January 10 and 11. The nurses are advocating for enhanced pay, improved sick leave policies, and better staffing levels to ensure patient safety.
In response to the vote, Sharp HealthCare stated, “While this vote does not mean a strike will occur immediately, it does reflect the significance of the issues being discussed at the bargaining table.” The organization emphasized its commitment to its nurses, noting that they currently earn an average of over $77 per hour in addition to benefits. Sharp has proposed substantial increases in pay, along with enhancements to sick leave and retirement benefits.
Despite this, union representatives argue that after 14 negotiation sessions, they feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed. They highlighted the pressing need to protect patients, the nursing profession, and their licenses. “We have been losing nurses to better-paying hospitals,” the unions stated. “At the same time, we’ve been negotiating to attract and retain nurses so that we can provide the quality of care we used to and want to be able to provide again.”
The situation underscores the broader challenges facing healthcare workers across the country, as many seek better compensation and working conditions in light of rising living costs. The outcome of the negotiations and the potential strike could have significant implications for patient care at Sharp HealthCare facilities.
As discussions proceed, the focus remains on finding a resolution that meets the needs of both the nurses and the healthcare system.
