Sharp Healthcare, Unionized Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement

Representatives of San Diego-based hospital chain Sharp HealthCare and the Sharp Professional Nurses Network -- a local affiliate of the United Nurses Associations of California -- on Friday reached a tentative contract agreement, the San Diego Union Tribune reports (Berestein, San Diego Union Tribune, 6/8). Nurses last month voted to extend negotiations and delay filing a 10-day notice to strike, which union members previously had approved. During earlier contract negotiations, Sharp and union officials failed to reach a consensus over wages and state nurse staffing rules. Sharp representatives said that the union's desire to require all nurses to apply for union membership, which currently is optional, contributed to negotiation difficulties (California Healthline, 6/8). Neither side would discuss details of the tentative agreement, which union members are scheduled to vote on Wednesday and Thursday. Union officials expect to announce results of the vote Thursday (San Diego Union Tribune, 6/8).