Kaiser Permanente Employees in California and Hawaii Join Forces for a Strike
Kaiser Health Care Workers Initiate Strike Over Staffing and Wage Concerns
LOS ANGELES – On Monday morning, over 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers in California and Hawaii launched an indefinite strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices. This action highlights ongoing tensions between the union and Kaiser regarding staffing levels, wages, and patient safety.
Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) joined picket lines at various Kaiser facilities, including hospitals and clinics in major regions such as Los Angeles and Orange counties. The striking workforce comprises a diverse group of medical professionals, including registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and other specialists.
The union and Kaiser Permanente have been in negotiations since May of last year. The impasse escalated when the union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Kaiser had abandoned negotiations as of December. According to union representatives, this strike is a response to Kaiser’s perceived lack of investment in safe staffing levels and access to quality care.
"We’re not going on strike to make noise," stated Charmaine S. Morales, RN, president of UNAC/UHCP. "We’re striking because Kaiser has committed serious unfair labor practices and because Kaiser refuses to bargain in good faith over staffing that protects patients, workload standards that stop moral injury, and the respect and dignity that Kaiser caregivers have been denied for far too long."
Conversely, Kaiser Permanente maintains that it has presented a fair and competitive offer, which includes a proposed 21.5% wage increase over the contract’s duration. Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, emphasized the company’s commitment to negotiation and stated, "We hope our UNAC/UHCP union-represented employees will choose not to strike so we can resolve our differences at the bargaining table."
While the strike continues, Kaiser has assured its patients that hospitals and most medical offices will remain operational. However, some pharmacies may close, and non-urgent appointments or elective surgeries might be postponed. Patients are advised to keep their scheduled appointments unless they receive direct communication from Kaiser regarding changes.
The ongoing work stoppage showcases the critical issues surrounding health care labor negotiations, as well as the significant impacts on patient care and worker rights within the industry.
