Kaiser Strike Hits Fourth Week in Continuing Contract Dispute over Pay, Benefits

"More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers remained on strike Monday as the open-ended walkout entered its fourth week, disrupting patient appointments, surgeries and treatments across California and Hawaii. Bargaining teams for Kaiser and workers resumed negotiations after weeks of stalemate, but no agreement appears imminent. This is the latest of a number of major strikes to have roiled Kaiser in recent years, including a 10-week strike by mental health workers in 2022 and a 2023 dispute mediated by the then-U.S. Secretary of Labor."

"Workers accuse Kaiser of violating staffing agreements and worsening patient care - both of which the health care giant denies. They are demanding a 25% raise over four years, arguing the wage increase is needed to retain and recruit employees and account for the steep inflationary pressures of the past few years. Kaiser contends its employees are on average the highest paid among other health care organizations. It has proposed a 21.5% increase over four years. In a statement, a Kaiser spokesperson said negotiations are happening while health care costs rise and millions of Americans are at risk of losing insurance."

More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers began an open-ended strike on Jan. 26 that entered its fourth week, disrupting appointments, surgeries and treatments across California and Hawaii. Negotiations between Kaiser and union bargaining teams have resumed after weeks of stalemate, but no agreement appears imminent. The strike involves the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals and includes nurses, physical therapists, midwives and other clinicians. Workers accuse Kaiser of breaching staffing agreements and say patient care has worsened. The union demands a 25% raise over four years; Kaiser has offered 21.5% and disputes the staffing allegations.

Read at San Jose Inside