FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 23, 2024
SAN DIEGO — In a groundbreaking development for labor rights within the healthcare sector, nearly 5,000 dedicated frontline healthcare workers represented by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) at Sharp HealthCare have successfully ratified their inaugural union contract following an extensive unionization campaign and months of arduous negotiations. This historic agreement marks a significant victory not only for the employees but also for the patients and the broader San Diego community.
The new contract covers various facilities, including Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Sharp HospiceCare, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, and Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus. It brings forth notable enhancements in wages and benefits while also addressing critical concerns raised by the workers.
Highlights of the transformative three-year agreement include:
- Pay Increases Up to 35%: The contract features substantial raises aimed at providing fair compensation and retaining skilled healthcare professionals, ensuring wage scales reflect equal pay for equal work standards across the organization.
- Family Medical Coverage: Introduced as a groundbreaking provision, this initiative significantly alleviates financial burdens for workers, slashing premiums by up to 50% for frontline employees and their families, thereby enhancing their financial security.
- One Union Contract Across Sharp: In a move to standardize patient care and working conditions, this contract unifies all SEIU-UHW-represented Sharp HealthCare employees under a singular collective bargaining agreement.
“We are gratified that after 18 months of negotiations, our common interests ultimately took center stage, resulting in a mutually agreeable contract,” stated Christopher D. Howard, President and CEO of Sharp HealthCare. “We feel that the teams solidified an agreement that respects, values, and rewards our Sharp team members, enabling all parties to focus on the future of Sharp HealthCare and our ongoing commitment to serving the San Diego community.”
Ratification of the collective bargaining agreement came after a tentative agreement was reached following months of negotiations that garnered nationwide attention, including from acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su.
“Frontline workers at Sharp HealthCare have demonstrated the power and potential of unity,” remarked Dave Regan, President of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW). “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su and the Biden administration for their unwavering support of workers’ rights to bargain collectively, as well as their efforts in helping all parties arrive at a solution that meets the needs of Sharp HealthCare employees and the patients they serve.”
This collective bargaining agreement signifies the culmination of an 18-month journey that began with historic union votes across Sharp campuses and signifies a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two parties.
SEIU-UHW members at Sharp HealthCare encompass a variety of vital positions, including certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists, licensed vocational nurses, respiratory care practitioners, pharmacy technicians, patient transporters, radiologic and surgical technologists, lab technicians, nursing unit clerks, and many more essential frontline healthcare roles.
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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of over 100,000 healthcare workers, patients, and activists dedicated to ensuring that all Californians have access to affordable, high-quality care provided by valued and respected healthcare professionals. More information is available at www.seiu-uhw.org.
Sharp HealthCare, recognized as San Diego’s most comprehensive health care delivery system, is celebrated for its clinical excellence across multiple specialties including cardiac, cancer, multi-organ transplantation, and rehabilitation. The Sharp HealthCare system comprises four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups, a health plan, and a multitude of outpatient facilities and programs throughout the San Diego region, and is lauded for its commitment to transforming the healthcare experience for patients, staff, and physicians through The Sharp Experience.
### Interview with Dave Regan, President of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
### Interview with Dave Regan, President of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dave. The recent ratification of the inaugural union contract for Sharp HealthCare workers marks a significant milestone. Can you share what this means for the healthcare workers involved?
**Dave Regan:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. This contract is a victory for nearly 5,000 frontline healthcare workers across several facilities within Sharp HealthCare. It not only provides fair pay increases—up to 35%—but also introduces essential benefits like family medical coverage, which reduces premiums for workers by up to 50%. This is a huge step toward financial security for our members and their families.
**Interviewer:** The contract standardizes working conditions across different facilities. How will this affect patient care?
**Dave Regan:** By unifying all SEIU-UHW-represented employees under one contract, we can ensure consistent standards of care across all Sharp facilities. This consistency is vital not just for the workers’ well-being but also for enhancing the overall patient experience. When healthcare workers feel valued and secure in their roles, they are better equipped to provide high-quality care to patients.
**Interviewer:** What were some of the challenges faced during the negotiation process, and how were they overcome?
**Dave Regan:** The negotiation process spanned 18 long months and was challenging due to many factors, including economic pressures and the need to address various worker concerns. However, by uniting our members and emphasizing our shared goals, we were able to maintain a clear focus on our common interests. The support from allies, including Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su, was also pivotal in pushing these negotiations forward.
**Interviewer:** What message do you hope this contract sends to other healthcare workers across the country?
**Dave Regan:** I hope it sends a strong message about the power of unity and collective bargaining. Our success at Sharp HealthCare demonstrates that when workers stand together, they can achieve substantial improvements in their working conditions and livelihoods. We encourage other healthcare workers to organize and advocate for their rights because change is possible when you unite.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of labor rights in healthcare?
**Dave Regan:** My hope is that this is just the beginning. We need to continue advocating for more labor protections and rights in the healthcare sector. Each victory builds momentum toward a larger movement for fairness and equity—not just for healthcare workers, but for all workers across various industries. Together, we can create a more just and equitable workplace for everyone.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Dave. Congratulations on this historic achievement.
**Dave Regan:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss these important changes.
