SAN DIEGO (KGTV)— SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) and frontline healthcare workers voted Friday to authorize a five-day strike in protest at Sharp Healthcare.

The strike was approved with a 92 percent yes vote from nearly 5,000 healthcare workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Sharp HospiceCare, Chula Vista Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, Mesa Vista Hospital and Mary Maternity Hospital, according to a press release sent by the union. and Newborns.

Opening negotiations between the union and Sharp Healthcare began in late 2023, and after more than 33 negotiation sessions, an initial contract agreement has yet to be reached.

According to the statement, healthcare workers said that managers at Sharp did not recognize problems such as low staff numbers and low salaries in the facilities.

“Shortstaffing and low pay put patients and staff at risk as workers struggle to meet patients’ needs, and many front-line caregivers at Sharp facilities are forced to commute due to a lack of affordable housing,” SEIU-UHW said. he said. release.

Strike voting is valid for the following classes of business:

Certified nursing assistants, licensed vocational nurses, respiratory care practitioners, pharmacy technicians, patient transporters, radiologic technologists, surgical technologists, laboratory technicians, nursing unit attendants

The union says there are many other healthcare workers for whom Friday’s vote would apply.

ABC 10News has reached out to Sharp Healthcare for a statement and is awaiting a response.