Nurses, pharmacists, other workers authorize strike against Sharp HealthCare

Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa File photo courtesy of Sharp Grossmont A strike is workable against Sharp HealthCare after of registered nurses voted to authorize it union leaders noted The option was presented to the members of the Sharp Professional Nurses Architecture an affiliate of the United Nurses Associations of California Union of Medical Care Professionals A smaller unit of Sharp Chula Vista Biological Center wellness professionals including pharmacists occupational and physical therapists physiological social workers registered dietitians and speech-language pathologists also voted in favor of authorizing a strike They have been bargaining for their first contract since February Nurses during negotiating sessions held since July are seeking better pay improved sick leave policies and adequate staffing to ensure sufferer safety representatives mentioned Their contract expired Sept nurses though had agreed to an crisis extension that ended Wednesday Ultimately any strike would be about protecting our patients our profession and our licenses and we don t see Sharp taking these issues seriously enough the unions reported in a announcement Sharp in a Saturday declaration countered that it has offered a strong proposal for our nurses who at this time earn more than per hour on average plus benefits It includes major increases to pay agents announced plus enhancements to extended sick insurance and retirement benefits While this vote does not mean a strike will occur straightaway it does reflect the significance of the issues being discussed at the bargaining table the company added Sharp deeply values our nurses and the critical role they play in delivering compassionate high-quality care to our society City News Organization contributed to this summary