Preparations for a possible strike against Sharp HealthCare are underway Saturday after 97% of nurses voted to authorize it, according to union officials.

Members of the Sharp Professional Nurses Network and Sharp Chula Vista health care professionals voted in favor of authorizing a strike in results announced Friday.

The nurses are seeking better pay, improved sick leave policies and adequate staffing to ensure patient safety, they said.

"While this vote does not mean a strike will occur immediately, it does reflect the significance of the issues being discussed at the bargaining table," Sharp said in a statement provided to City News Service on Saturday. "Sharp deeply values our nurses and the critical role they play in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to our community. Sha

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