Sharp Nurses Testify To Pain of the Pandemic
Today, management heard the truth of nursing at Sharp. Every single RN union officer gave testimony about what they and their coworkers experienced during the pandemic—in answer to management’s unprecedented level of disrespect to nurses during these negotiations. Lorra Tibayan, RN, told of severe understaffing during her most recent shift at Sharp Chula Vista and how it triggered her PTSD from the pandemic—also her anger and humiliation when management had police remove her from hospital grounds last week for passing out the bargaining update—a clear violation of labor law. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
I represent Sharp daily as a solid, competent nurse who continues to give my whole heart every shift—despite the way they treat us.
—Lorra Tibayan, RN Chair (Chula Vista)
“I used to BELIEVE we are all Sharp. I do not feel we are all Sharp in your eyes,” Lorra said. “We did everything that was asked of us. I represent Sharp daily as a solid, competent nurse who continues to give my whole heart every shift—despite the way they treat us. Countless times, my husband has seen me cry due to what I bring home. Heart-wrenching story after heart-wrenching story.”
Lorra set the stakes in these negotiations: “I want people to stay. In order to keep quality nurses here, we’re going to have to make some drastic changes to this contract and pay scale. There is no other way around it.” Join us next time to demand respect from Sharp management. Updated proposals will be available on
heartofsharp.org.