More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers are still on strike as the walkout stretches into its fourth week, affecting patient appointments and procedures in California and Hawaii.
The strike, which began Jan. 26, centers on pay and staffing. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals is pushing for a 25% wage increase over four years, saying it’s needed to keep up with inflation and retain staff. Kaiser has offered 21.5% over four years and maintains its employees are already among the highest paid in health care.
Both sides returned to the bargaining table, but a deal has yet to be reached. Union leaders say Kaiser can afford the higher raise, while the company argues its financial reserves are meant for long-term stability. Meanwhile, some patients have reported delays and long waits, though Kaiser says it has contingency plans in place to continue providing care.