Sharp HealthCare and nursing union reach tentative deal

Sharp HealthCare announced in a short statement Friday that it has reached a tentative agreement with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, the union that represents about 5,800 registered nurses who work for the region’s largest medical provider.

A union spokesperson confirmed that the deal, which was preceded by a three-day strike in late November, has been reached but provided no additional details on specific terms. Sharp’s statement indicates that “key elements of the four-year agreement include pay increases for all bargaining unit registered nurses, enhanced extended sick leave benefits and improved retiree medical benefits.

“This milestone reflects our shared commitment to our nurses,” said Susan Stone, Sharp’s senior vice president of health system operations and chief nursing executive. “We are especially grateful to all those who worked so hard to ensure a strong and fair contract for Sharp nurses.”

Andrea Muir, a Sharp resource nurse and local union president, said in an email: “This was a big win not just for Sharp registered nurses but for Sharp’s patients and the San Diego community. We addressed outstanding sick leave, wage, and retirement issues in a manner that benefits both patients and nurses. We would never have gotten this far without the solidarity and hard work of Sharp RNs, who stood strong together and would not give up.”

In November, Stone said that Sharp’s proposal included g...