Sharp nurses, health care professionals authorize strike
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A union representing 5,700 registered nurses voted on Friday to authorize a strike against Sharp Healthcare, one of the largest care providers in San Diego County.
In a 97% vote, Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN)—an affiliate of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP)—authorized a possible strike following contract negotiations that have been ongoing since July.
The union is advocating for better patient care, pay and sick leave policies. Full-time Sharp nurses must currently work at least 10 weeks to make up for one shift of sick leave, according to the union.
Registered Nurse (RN) Nieysha Richard has worked at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns for nearly 20 years. Richard shared that she took this decision seriously.
“I take care of moms and babies after delivery,” Richard said. “I do not take the choice to go on strike lightly. As registered nurses caring for our community, we need support from the people who hire us.”
A strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean workers will go on strike. It is a procedural vote from union members that gives the union the authority to start a strike pending negotiations.
Union members state that due to their sick leave policy they are often faced with the decision of either going into work sick, potentially exposing patients, or jeopardizing their pay.
“I would say to the public, if you see us out there, we’re fighting for the patient care and safety that you deserve from the largest healthcare provider in the region,” RN Andrea Muir said.
Sharp shared in a statement to FOX 5/KUSI News that they have been bargaining in good faith. They also shared their current contract proposal for nurses in their statement:
Sharp deeply values our nurses and the critical role they play in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to our community. Sharp has put forward a strong proposal for our nurses, who currently earn more than $77 per hour on average plus benefits. The proposal includes significant increases to this pay, plus enhancements to extended sick insurance (ESI) and retirement benefits. At the same time, we are mindful of the current and future financial challenges facing Sharp and other not-for-profit health systems.
We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and quickly reaching a fair and responsible contract that recognizes the dedication and professionalism of our nursing staff so we can continue providing the exceptional care our patients deserve.
San Diego has been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, according to the U.S. News and & World Report.
The union shared some health care workers’ struggle to make ends meet.
“We are dealing with San Diego's high cost of living,” Speech-Language Pathologist Andre Gatewood said. “Three years into my career, and I still can’t afford an average one-bedroom apartment in San Diego, despite being employed full-time for Sharp Healthcare as a speech-language pathologist.”
The union said that Sharp nurses are paid below the market rate, and management has proposed to remove medical coverage for retirees.
“A nurse who retires before Medicare age after decades of grueling 12-hour shifts would lose access to Sharp health insurance,” SPNN stated.
Nurses' previous contract expired on Sept. 30, and RNs have been working on an emergency extension that expired on Wednesday.
While Sharp management and SPNN leadership continue negotiations, the union now has the option to strike.
“The only way to fight for you is to also fight for ourselves,” Muir added.
