Sharp HealthCare Illegally Declares Impasse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2016

Sharp HealthCare Illegally Declares Impasse
Sharp Nurses’ Union to Begin Conducting Strike Vote Meetings

The Union is aware of Sharp’s communication and vigorously disagrees with its characterization of our negotiations being at impasse. As a result of their unilateral implementation of its last contract proposal, we will begin conducting strike vote meetings on Wednesday, November 2.

Sharp registered nurses are disappointed with Sharp management’s disregard for patient care and lack of respect for nurses.

The chief issue in bargaining has been recruiting and retaining the very best nurses in the region, to provide exceptional patient care. In particular, Sharp’s wages have been identified as a top obstacle to retention. Sharp registered nurses with five years of experience can move to local competitors such as UCSD or Kaiser San Diego with hourly wages ranging from $8-$16 more than at Sharp.

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The Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN) is an affiliate of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) which represents over 26,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals, including optometrists; pharmacists; physical, occupational and speech therapists; case managers; nurse midwives; social workers; clinical lab scientists; physician assistants and nurse practitioners. UNAC/UHCP is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.