News Summary
Nurses with the Sharp Professional Nurses Network concluded a three-day picket in San Diego as they negotiate for better pay, sick leave, and patient care standards. Following the expiration of their contract, the nurses are advocating for fair market wages against competitors and improved sick leave policies. The ongoing negotiations continue to highlight the critical issues nurses face, including retiree health benefits and the treatment of union members during the picketing. The outcome of these negotiations is crucial for both nurses and the broader healthcare system in the region.
San Diego
Nurses affiliated with the Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN) concluded a three-day picket on Friday, October 17, 2025, as part of ongoing negotiations for improved pay, sick leave policies, and patient care standards. This picket, which began on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, involved nurses from various Sharp facilities across San Diego County, following the expiration of their union contract on September 30, 2025.
As negotiations for a new contract continue, an emergency two-week contract extension is set to take effect on October 22, 2025. The SPNN, associated with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), represents approximately 5,700 nurses who have been advocating for changes since negotiations started in July.
One major issue highlighted during the picket is the need for fair market wages. Sharp nurses argue that their compensation does not match that of competitors such as Kaiser Permanente and UC San Diego Health. Inquiries have shown that nursing staff at Sharp are feeling the pinch of financial pressures, prompting calls for salaries that are commensurate with their workload and industry standards.
In addition to pay, nurses are pushing for substantial changes to the sick leave policy, which they state currently penalizes staff for using their allotted days off. Under this policy, full-time nurses must work a minimum of 10 weeks to earn enough sick leave for just one shift, ultimately forcing many to choose between their health and the risk of exposing patients to illness.
On the operational side, Sharp Healthcare reported that their services were not impacted by the picketing, stating the demonstrations were informational and did not result in any work stoppages. Moreover, Sharp confirmed that the nurses had not initiated a strike, despite some expressing a willingness to do so if the negotiations fail.
Issues relating to retiree health benefits have also surfaced during discussions, with the union raising concerns over Sharp’s proposals to remove medical coverage for retirees. While these negotiations proceed, Sharp’s leadership has faced challenges over its handling of nurses who wore union t-shirts with messages like “Respect Nurses” at Chula Vista Medical Center. Reports indicate that some nurses were threatened with disciplinary actions, including being sent home without pay, if they did not change their shirts.
Sharp Healthcare, in an apparent effort to manage the situation during the picket, offered double-time pay to nurses who chose to leave their posts. However, the focus of the picketing was on advocating for long-term change rather than immediate financial incentives.
Nurses have underscored the importance of retaining experienced staff to mentor newer nurses, particularly in critical departments like Labor and Delivery. Union members are determined to continue pressing for equitable treatment and recognition of their contributions to the healthcare system.
With negotiations, the SPNN has planned further bargaining sessions for October 22, 24, and 29, 2025, in hopes of reaching an agreement that addresses the nurses’ demands. The timing of their picket closely coincided with a state-wide five-day strike of approximately 31,000 Kaiser Permanente workers, who are also fighting for enhanced staffing, pay, and benefits. Kaiser Permanente, however, has contested these claims, maintaining that its staffing levels meet state requirements and that its wage offers are above market rates.
The outcome of these negotiations is critical, not only for the nurses at Sharp but also for the overall healthcare landscape in San Diego as they advocate for conditions essential to their professional well-being and the safety of the patients they serve.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Healthcare Workers Strike in San Diego
Kaiser Permanente Health Workers in San Diego Prepare to Strike
San Diego Healthcare Workers Organize Informational Picket
Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: Sharp Nurse Picket Union Contract
- Google Search: Sharp Healthcare nurses picket
- Fox 5 San Diego: Sharp Picketing Ends
- Wikipedia: Nursing
- Times of San Diego: Sharp Healthcare Nurses Rally for Fair Pay
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- CBS 8: Sharp Nurses Prepare to Picket
- Google News: Sharp Professional Nurses Network
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
