San Diego City Council Approves Resolution Supporting Sharp HealthCare Workers

The San Diego City Council Tuesday voted 7-0 for a resolution supporting Sharp HealthCare workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act , calling on Sharp management "to commit to engaging in and forming working partnerships to make Sharp Healthcare a leader in quality patient care and good, middle-class jobs that San Diego needs."

The resolution follows recent decisions by Sharp health workers to unionize.

In late April, more than 1,000 employees at the Sharp Chula Vista location voted to join Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West . Those health care employees joined 1,600 workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Sharp HospiceCare who unionized in 2023.

Also joining the union were 550 Planned Parenthood workers, and seven groups of San Diego-area dialysis workers, according to reports.

In response to the City Council's vote, Sharp HealthCare issued a statement saying it has "been bargaining in good faith with the union for nearly a year, and look forward to reaching a contract that is mutually acceptable."

Councilman Raul Campillo, who sponsored the resolution, said unions empower workers to negotiate collectively; balance the power between managers and employees; reduce income inequality; provide training; and offer job protection, benefits and a sense of solidarity.

"The right to unionize is a fundamental, democratic right," added Campillo, who partnered with fellow council members Henry Foster, Stephen Whitburn and Marni von Wilpert — who was absent from Tuesday's meeting — on the resolution.

Councilwoman Vivian Moreno was also absent Tuesday.

During public comment, several Sharp Healthcare employees spoke in favor of the resolution.

One certified nursing assistant said she loves her job, but feels "like giving up" because her salary makes it difficult to make ends meet or move out of her parent's home. Another nursing assistant, a five-year Sharp employee, said that it is time for the company "to respect our voice as one."

Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said respects courage of workers to organize, as it comes with risk.

"You are lifting the bar for every worker in San Diego," he added.

City News Service contributed to this report.