Title: Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions Stands Firm as Largest Healthcare Strike in US History Looms
Subtitle: On Wednesday, 75,000 employees prepare to strike, demanding better pay and job security
September 4, 2023
Los Angeles, California – The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing 75,000 employees across multiple states, has announced that it has not reached an agreement with the healthcare company. This development sets the stage for what could potentially become the largest healthcare strike in US history.
The coalition, comprising eight unions with workers at hundreds of hospitals and medical offices, including those in California, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C., has cited several key issues where they are far apart from Kaiser Permanente. The healthcare workers are demanding across-the-board pay raises, improvements to their pension plans, and protections against outsourcing.
The official contract between the coalition and Kaiser Permanente expired on Saturday night, with the strike scheduled for Wednesday. However, negotiations are ongoing, and both sides are urging for a resolution to be reached before the strike takes place.
Kaiser Permanente released a statement expressing optimism that an agreement can be reached and emphasizing their commitment to continue negotiating “in good faith.” They further assured the public that operations will run smoothly until the potential strike commences, with hospitals and emergency departments remaining open.
In response to the looming strike, Kaiser has implemented contingency plans to ensure that its 12.7 million members will continue to receive safe and high-quality care in the event of a strike.
Renee Saldana of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), the largest union in the coalition, emphasized the urgency of the staffing crisis and the need for lasting solutions to ensure patient safety. While doctors, hospital managers, and registered nurses will not be participating in the strike, a wide array of medical staff members, including nursing assistants, optometrists, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians, are prepared to join the protest.
It is important to note that Kaiser’s unique membership structure protects the company from significant revenue losses during the strike. Unlike most US healthcare providers, Kaiser patients pay dues to the company in exchange for access to care. With 39 hospitals and 622 medical offices, Kaiser Permanente serves as a major healthcare provider with a membership of 12.7 million people.
This potential strike coincides with a period of increased organized labor activity in the United States. So far this year, nearly 300 strikes have taken place across various industries, according to data from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
As negotiations continue over the coming days, both the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and Kaiser Permanente hope to reach an agreement to avoid the disruption of services and to address the concerns of the healthcare workers, ensuring the provision of quality care and job security for all involved.