Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers in California and Hawaii plan to strike this week over pay, staffing levels and other contract issues.
Officials with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals say 31,000 union members at more than 500 hospitals and clinics will walk off the job until Sunday morning in what they call the largest labor action in the union’s 50-year history.
UNAC/UHCP is a member of the Alliance of Health Care Unions, and if other affiliated unions join the strike, up to 46,000 Kaiser employees could ultimately take to the picket lines, according to union officials.
“Workers are going on strike after Kaiser executives have refused for months of negotiations to settle a fair contract that includes safe staffing, equitable pay and benefits, and a voice for frontline caregivers,” union officials said.
The strike will include registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and others.
Hospital officials say the strike is unnecessary and disruptive, especially given that Kaiser workers represented by the Alliance earn, on average, 16 percent more than workers in similar jobs at other organizations.
“The Alliance began bargaining seeking a 38 percent wage increase over four years and now demands 25 percent — a figure out of step with today’s economic realities and rising health care costs,” said Lionel Sims, senior vice president for human resources at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.
“This would dramatically increase the current $6.3 billion annual payroll and lead to higher rates for members and customers, with serious market implications,” Sims said in an emailed statement. “Our 21.5 percent offer will increase payroll for this group by nearly $2 billion in total by 2029.”
Kaiser hospitals and medical offices will remain open during the strike with the help of up to 7,600 nurses, clinicians and other health care workers who are being brought in to take up critical jobs, Kaiser officials said.
The hospital is also shifting some appointments from in-person care to phone calls, video meetings and online chats. Also, some appointments, elective surgeries and procedures might need to be rescheduled.
The strike begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday with the only Bay Area picket line being held at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center at 3600 and 3701 Broadway.
45 year Union member, will not cross a picket line.
…. another Kaiser strike? when was the last? a month ago? negotiate & bargain till you get it sorted out then get back to work for more than a month or two 🙁
Unions used to pretend that these never-ending strikes were about patient care. But these caring professionals blocked the entrance to Mt Diablo parking lot, and we had to get the police involved in order to have a procedure done.
If Henry Kaiser was still alive, they would not have to strike. He was committed to their
well-being through higher wages, and fair labor practices. Henry built Kaiser Permanente,
so his employees would have a complete and prepaid health plan. Henry knew that taking
good care of his employees would be a contributing factor to their health and productivity.
…. not just Kaiser – but when they say “not for profit” … hmmmmm
One nice thing about Kaiser Health Care workers; you can always count on them to
Wait Their Turn to Strike.
Sutter Health medical care may not be any better care, but they do lead the way in Strikes and settlements… so that Kaiser folks know what they can get. And when Kaiser says they’ll “being
in folks to help out” during their strike~~~ which temp & part-time labor pool do you think helps out? I don’t know either – but I can guess who’s “on call” and who isn’t.
Again? Really? This is getting tiresome, especially when they ARE well paid.
This is the definition of insanity. Try to see where your opponent is coming from, then be realistic.
I walked right through the picket line an hour ago. No strike is going to stop me from getting my health care.