Thousands of registered nurses and healthcare professionals with Sharp Healthcare picketed Wednesday amid contract negotiations.
The nurses plan a three-day informational picket outside Sharp’s Memorial, Mary Birch, Mesa Vista, Grossmont and Chula Vista medical Center campuses. The picket is not a strike, and should not affect medical operations at the facilities, organizers said.
About 5,700 nurses are represented by the Sharp Professional Nurses Network, and were under a contract that expired on Sept. 30, according to SPNN. The union has been in contract negotiations with Sharp since July.
The union is fighting for increased wages and a better sick leave policy, which they say will lead to stronger patient care. The union argues that Sharp nurses are paid below market rate and struggle to support themselves and their families in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
“We are fighting for a fair contract. That incurs wages that are competitive with market standards like UCSD and Kaiser, and also fair sick policy,” said Alana Lawler, a registered nurse.
125 Sharp Chula Vista licensed professionals, including pharmacists, occupational therapists and physical therapists, are also joining the picket lines.
Sharp said they were informed about the informational pickets.
Erica Carlson, a Sharp representative, said they were informed about the informational pickets and assured they were not affecting health care operations.
“These pickets are not a strike, and the union has not called for a strike. Unlike a strike, picketing events do not involve a work stoppage. Sharp remains fully staffed and is continuing to provide the high-quality care our community members need and deserve. We remain committed to a fair and responsible contract for our nurses,” Carlson said in a written statement.
A five-day strike is affecting Kaiser Permanente hospitals across the state, including three in San Diego County. About 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and more were fighting for a new contract that addresses staffing shortages, and better pay and benefits.