Kaiser says NorCal hospitals and medical offices will remain open during strike

"The union represents nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, acupuncturists, physician assistants, as well as occupational, speech and physical therapists. If the strike occurs, our hospitals, emergency rooms, and medical offices will remain open, Kaiser said in a statement Friday. And most appointments, procedures, and care will continue uninterrupted. Kaiser said it will contact members in advance if their care is affected. The health care giant added that its pharmacies will remain open with normal hours."

"In Northern California, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals represents some 31,000 workers at nearly 20 hospitals and 200 clinics in the two states. The union is part of the Alliance of Health Care Unions, a federation of 21 local unions representing more than 60,000 Kaiser employees. The union accuses Kaiser of prioritizing its financial holdings, private investments and executive pay over staffing shortages and fair pay."

Kaiser Permanente will keep Northern California hospitals, medical offices, and emergency departments open if roughly 2,800 health care employees represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals strike. Striking workers include nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, acupuncturists, physician assistants, and occupational, speech, and physical therapists. Most appointments, procedures, and care are expected to continue uninterrupted, and pharmacies will remain open with normal hours; members will be contacted in advance if care is affected. The union accuses Kaiser of prioritizing investments and executive pay over staffing and fair pay, while Kaiser says it has proposed significant compensation increases. The union’s contract expired Sept. 30 and followed a five-day strike in October.

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