Nearly 5,000 healthcare workers at Sharp HealthCare have voted in favor of a five-day strike, with 92% supporting the decision. The workers from various facilities including Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Sharp HospiceCare, Chula Vista Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, Mesa Vista Hospital, and Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns believe that they are facing unfair labor practices by Sharp Healthcare.
The employees, represented by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West union, feel that Sharp executives have not been negotiating in good faith to address the staffing and patient care crisis they are experiencing. Cheryl Okuboye, a licensed vocational nurse at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, expressed her disappointment in management’s refusal to engage in fair bargaining despite the workers’ dedication to patient care.
Many workers like Tony Napoli, a respiratory therapist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, are struggling with the demands of their jobs. Napoli highlighted the challenges of long commutes, low pay, and high living costs in San Diego, which are pushing employees to their limits. The workers had previously demanded better pay and increased staffing in August.
Despite Sharp Healthcare’s significant profits of over $654 million during the pandemic, the workers feel that their compensation does not reflect the organization’s financial success. Sharp Healthcare responded to the allegations by stating that staffing levels at their hospitals are among the highest in the state and that there is no patient care crisis. The organization offered the union a 21% wage increase over a three-year contract, along with other benefits, but the union has rejected negotiation sessions in favor of a strike.
The strike authorization affects various job classes including certified nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, and surgical technologists. If the strike proceeds, it could have serious implications for patient care and hospital operations in the San Diego region. Sharp Healthcare maintains that they are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of their patients in the event of a strike and are committed to reaching an agreement that values their employees and upholds their mission.
