Overview
- Union officials said 97% of the 5,700-member Sharp Professional Nurses Network voted to authorize a strike after months of bargaining.
- A separate group of 127 Sharp Chula Vista health professionals, including pharmacists and therapists, also approved strike authorization while seeking a first contract.
- The unions delivered a 10-day notice of a potential walkout, and bargaining sessions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday next week.
- Sharp said it is bargaining in good faith and proposes significant pay increases plus enhancements to extended sick insurance and retirement benefits, noting nurses average more than $77 per hour.
- The previous contract expired Sept. 30 and an emergency extension ended Wednesday, with union leaders arguing current sick-leave accrual and below‑market pay hinder retention and patient safety.