Facts Matter. You Matter. – Message #14

FICTION: Sharp is trying to use scare tactics with their employees, stoking fear about paying union dues.

FACT: Sharp has stated the truth from the outset. We have observed that SEIU-UHW typically charges members 2% of their pay for dues, and the union has confirmed that this is true in their most recent communications. That means if you make $30/hour, you would be giving the union $3,744 over the course of a three-year contract, which translates into millions of dollars to the union when factoring in all eligible employees.

As a reminder, SEIU-UHW reported in 2022 that it received nearly $240 million in dues revenues from worker-members and spent $167 million on administration, overhead, employee salaries and benefits and organizing new members.

FICTION:  SEIU-UHW claims that Sharp management is saying that SEIU-UHW members at Sharp Grossmont Hospital are already paying union dues.

FACT:  Sharp management has never made that statement. The union claims/asserts that Sharp Grossmont and Sharp HospiceCare union members are not yet paying dues and will not collect dues until a labor contract is ratified. However, as soon as a labor contract is ratified, the union will start taking away 2% of whatever pay increases they negotiate in the contract in the form of dues. This isn’t Sharp making things up, this is the union’s own statements proving the accuracy of the information we have provided our team members.

FICTION:  Employees will have more flexibility with workplace issues such as scheduling, staffing and workloads if they join the union.

FACT:  Sharp and our team members enjoy flexibility in the workplace already without any third part intervention. Unions negotiate with employers over terms in a labor contract that define what is or is not permitted in the workplace; these provisions often prevent and/or delay team members and supervisors from working together to quickly solve issues because the union wants to be – or even insists on being – involved. Introducing a union that insists on intervening in the Sharp-team member relationship will not create flexibility; quite the opposite.

FICTION: Sharp does not invest in its employees.

FACT: Over the past two fiscal years, Sharp has made significant investments in staff wages, including a 5% across-the-board (ATB) increase for all staff in October 2022; and a 3.5% ATB increase for all non-represented staff last fall. These and other wage increases represent an investment of more than $150 million in staff compensation since FY2022. These and other wage increases represent an investment of more than $150 million in staff compensation since FY2022.

Remember, all eligible employees are allowed to vote — even without a union card — and all are encouraged to cast their vote next week during the indicated times below. Voting is only permitted to be in person for this election (no texting votes and no online voting permitted), so please show up – be heard – and vote!

• Voting Dates and Times
  • Tuesday, July 16: 6 to 9 am, 11 am to 2 pm, 6 to 8 pm
  • Wednesday, July 17: 6 to 8 am, 11 am to 2 pm, 6 to 8 pm
  • Thursday, July 18: 6 to 8 am, 11 am to 2 pm
•  Place
  • Knollwood Conference Rooms C and D

Facts matter. You matter.

Get all the facts about collective bargaining and unionization at sharpstayinformed.