An Open Letter to Our Co-Workers at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

We are your co-workers at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center — and like you, we know that major changes are needed at our hospital.

Our workloads are increasing, staffing levels are too low, our pay is far below what other healthcare workers in this region earn and has not kept up with inflation, and we face disrespect on the job. We’re forced to take on more work in more dangerous conditions with fewer staff. Many of us are experiencing physical fatigue and mental burnout, yet Sharp management refuses to address this crisis.

We cannot wait to confront these problems. We must vote to join SEIU–United Healthcare Workers West right away. SEIU-UHW is one of the largest unions of healthcare workers in the country with over 100,000 members who have a track record of winning higher wages, increased staffing, and a strong voice on the job.

Sharp management has launched a massive anti-union effort throughout this region. Last year, 1,600 workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Sharp HospiceCare voted to unite in SEIU-UHW — yet Sharp executives have done everything in their power to delay contract bargaining and stifle the will of these workers. Management has also gone to great lengths to try to stop other Sharp facilities from unionizing. They know that the more of us who go union, the more power we’ll have to win a strong contract. We must vote to join SEIU-UHW now at Chula Vista so we can unite with all the other Sharp union members and maximize our power in negotiations.

As members of the SEIU-UHW Organizing Committee, we’ve talked to many of you about making improvements at Chula Vista. Here are some of the things you’ve said we need:

• Raises and wages more in line with the industry standard in this region
• Increased staffing levels so we can provide first-rate patient care and avoid burnout
• A stronger voice so we have a real say in our workplaces
• Fairness and respect from management

Joining together in SEIU-UHW is our best opportunity to fight for and win on these priorities and more. So on March 15th, we filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board to make our union official and start achieving these goals. We look forward to getting our election date very soon.

Let’s win a better future together here at Sharp Chula Vista. Let’s unite in SEIU-UHW!

In Unity,

Your Co-workers on the SEIU-UHW Organizing Committee at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center