Overview

• Thousands of SPNN-represented nurses began day one of an informational picket set for 6–9 a.m. through Friday at multiple Sharp campuses, including Memorial, Mary Birch, Mesa Vista, Grossmont and Chula Vista.
• Roughly 5,700 nurses are working without a contract since Sept. 30, and 125 licensed professionals at Sharp Chula Vista joined the picket lines.
• Union leaders are pushing for wage increases they say would match UC San Diego and Kaiser rates, arguing current pay lags the local market.
• Nurses also seek changes to sick-leave rules, citing a two-hour-per-pay-period accrual that they say can lead to discipline and takes about 10 weeks to earn one day; Sharp says its policies follow state law and that resources are available for leave needs.
• Sharp says the action is not a strike, operations remain fully staffed with no expected impact on care, and the next bargaining sessions are set for Oct. 22, 24 and 29; the effort coincides with ongoing Kaiser strikes.