Kaiser Permanente Strike: A Timeline of Events

The recent unrest began on January 26th when members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) initiated an open-ended walkout involving over 31,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals. The strike impacted more than two dozen Kaiser Permanente hospitals and numerous clinics throughout California and Hawaii. This action, described by UNAC/UHCP as the largest open-ended strike of its kind in U.S. history, centered on demands for improved working conditions and fair compensation.

Following several weeks of negotiations, UNAC/UHCP leadership accepted Kaiser Permanente’s offer of a 21.5% across-the-board wage increase. The union announced its members would return to work on February 24th at 7 a.m. Pacific time and 7 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian time, citing “significant movement at the bargaining table.” Kaiser Permanente stated it is actively working to reintegrate returning employees while prioritizing patient safety and minimizing disruptions to care.

Simultaneously, over 3,000 pharmacy and lab workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers, concluded a separate three-day strike on February 12th, also coordinated with the UNAC/UHCP action. This demonstrated a unified front among Kaiser Permanente’s workforce in seeking improved terms of employment.

Mental Health Professionals Prepare for Action

As one labor dispute nears resolution, another is brewing. Approximately 2,400 Kaiser mental health professionals – including therapists, social workers, and psychologists serving patients in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Sacramento – have authorized a one-day unfair labor practice strike. The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) members overwhelmingly voted (92%) in favor of the strike, following an unfair labor practice charge alleging Kaiser unilaterally altered its mental health triage system.

NUHW has not yet announced a specific strike date but is considering a walkout in March. This potential strike underscores growing concerns about access to mental healthcare and the working conditions of those providing these vital services. What impact will a strike by mental health professionals have on patient access to crucial care services?

Kaiser Permanente maintains that bargaining continues with UNAC/UHCP and other unions within the Alliance of Health Care Unions, expressing optimism about reaching comprehensive contract agreements. However, the authorization of a strike by mental health workers suggests ongoing challenges in addressing the concerns of all Kaiser Permanente employees.

The situation at Kaiser Permanente reflects a broader trend of increased labor activity in the healthcare sector, driven by factors such as pandemic-related burnout, staffing shortages, and rising costs of living. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a recent uptick in union membership and strike activity across various industries.

External Link: American Hospital Association – Nursing Shortage

External Link: KFF – Mental Health Workforce Shortages

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kaiser Permanente Labor Disputes

• What is the primary issue driving the Kaiser Permanente nurses’ strike?

  The primary issue driving the nurses’ strike was a demand for improved working conditions and fair compensation, ultimately resolved with a 21.5% wage increase.

• When did the Kaiser Permanente nurses end their strike?

  The Kaiser Permanente nurses ended their strike on February 24, 2024, at 7 a.m. Pacific time and 7 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian time.

• Why are Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals considering a strike?

  Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals are considering a strike due to an unfair labor practice charge alleging Kaiser unilaterally changed its mental health triage system.

• How many mental health professionals have authorized a strike at Kaiser Permanente?

  Approximately 2,400 Kaiser mental health professionals have authorized a one-day unfair labor practice strike.

• What impact could the mental health professionals’ strike have on patients?

  A strike by mental health professionals could potentially disrupt access to crucial mental healthcare services for patients in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Sacramento.