Sharp Health Care Workers Strike for Better Contracts and Patient Care
TL/DR –
Last week, approximately 5,700 nurses and other healthcare professionals working for Sharp Healthcare in San Diego held a three-day strike over the Thanksgiving holiday. The strike, which was initiated due to Sharp management’s refusal to provide a contract that protects patient care, is based on concerns over under-valued employees, insufficient benefits, under-staffing, a two-tier wage scheme, and the illegal removal of workers’ retiree medical benefits. In addition to these issues, Sharp management’s refusal to provide adequate sick leave is a key sticking point in negotiations.
Sharp Healthcare Workers Hold a Three-Day Strike to Protest Contract Proposals
Over 5,700 nurses and healthcare professionals from Sharp Healthcare, including employees from Sharp Chula Vista, in the San Diego area staged a three-day strike last week. The strike action was taken in response to management’s refusal to provide a contract that safeguards patient care.
The majority of the striking workers are part of the Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN), affiliated with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), which is an arm of AFSCME.
According to the frontline workers, after 20 rounds of negotiation, Sharp’s final contract proposals threaten to undervalue employees and offer insufficient benefits. They foresee potential understaffing and a two-tier wage system.
Alongside the striking nurses, 127 other healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, dieticians, occupational therapists, and social workers also showed their solidarity.
Charmaine Morales, RN and AFSCME Vice President, commented, “Sharp may have forgotten its mission, but we haven’t. When nurses and healthcare professionals rise, the entire county feels it.”
The healthcare professionals are also contesting Sharp’s removal of retiree medical benefits and are fighting for a voice in the care they provide. The outcome of the strike will be taken into the next meeting with management this month.
Sharp’s nurses and health care professionals have previously demonstrated against management’s flawed contract proposals at an Oct. 15 rally and informational picket in San Diego. Key issues include management’s wage proposals, proposed elimination of retiree medical benefits, and refusal to grant appropriate sick leave.
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