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Strike looms as Sharp nurses fight for better pay

A strike could be looming at Sharp Health Care after labor negotiations stalled and nurses have continued to work without contracts.

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - More than 200 nurses rallied downtown at the Convention Center Thursday morning.

A strike could be looming at Sharp Health Care after labor negotiations stalled and nurses continue to work without contracts. 

According to nurses, they have been in negotiation talks since July, but last month they rejected Sharp's "Last, Best and Final offer."

At issue is an exodus of experienced nurses from the Sharp system to competing San Diego hospital systems-creating a patient care crisis-due to Sharp's failure to pay competitive wages. 

"We can't keep the newer generation because financial is a priority to them. We can't get the experienced nurses because why would you come if it's that much of a discrepancy," said a nurse. 

San Diego State University employment law and business ethics professor Dan Eaton said should nurses decide to strike "the effectiveness of the work stoppage may depend on how long they are willing to keep it going." 

CBS News 8 reached out to Sharp for comment - they declined but will be holding their own news conference Thursday morning, as well. 

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