3,000 Kaiser pharmacists vote to strike, create second wave' of protests

"Kaiser Permanente pharmacists and technicians at medical facilities in Southern California voted Wednesday, Oct. 15 to authorize a strike, citing unfair labor practices. No date has been set for a strike, which would affect some 3,000 union members and dozens of pharmacies. The vote came during a five-day strike by 31,000 Kaiser nurses and healthcare workers that began Tuesday, Oct. 14 at facilities in California, Oregon and Hawaii."

"The Oakland-based healthcare organization hired up to 7,600 nurses, clinicians and other staff to replace union workers during the strike, the majority of whom have worked at Kaiser previously. More than 1,000 of Kaiser's current workforce also volunteered to be reassigned to work in strike locations. By law, healthcare unions must give employers at least 10 days notice before a strike in order to ensure continuity of patient care and allow hospitals to prepare."

"United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 324 and 770 represent Kaiser pharmacy assistants, technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians and clinical and administrative healthcare workers throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Gerard Maderazo, who sits on the bargaining committee for Local 770, said Wednesday night that Kaiser would be forced to temporarily shutter most pharmacies if a strike involving its pharmacists and technicians moves forward."

Kaiser Permanente pharmacists and technicians in Southern California authorized a strike authorization vote over alleged unfair labor practices that could impact about 3,000 union members and dozens of pharmacies. The authorization vote coincided with a five-day strike by 31,000 nurses and healthcare workers across California, Oregon and Hawaii. Kaiser hired up to 7,600 replacement staff and more than 1,000 current employees volunteered for reassignment to strike locations. Union locals represent pharmacy and lab workers across multiple Southern California counties. The union's contract expires Oct. 31, and the union alleges denial of access to employee representatives, withholding bargaining information, intimidation, and interrogation, warning many pharmacies could temporarily close if pharmacists and technicians strike.

Read at www.ocregister.com