A group of labor unions representing 85,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente announced their plans to conduct strike authorization votes starting on August 26. The votes are in preparation for a potential strike due to unfair labor practices, which could begin as early as October 1. This strike would have a significant impact on numerous Kaiser hospitals and clinics, including 23 in Southern California.
The voting process will commence in Denver and will conclude on September 13, covering Kaiser facilities in various states such as California, Colorado, Oregon, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
During a press conference at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and front-line workers emphasized the chronic understaffing issue that the healthcare giant has failed to address effectively. This staff shortage has resulted in prolonged patient care delays. Employees are also advocating for a base wage of $25 per hour, which would enable them to manage the rising costs of housing, gas, groceries, and other essential items.
Dave Regan, the president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, emphasized the strain that healthcare workers have endured in recent years and the need for change. If a strike were to occur, all workers would participate simultaneously, which would greatly impact patient care and services.
According to the coalition, Kaiser has refused to meet with the bargaining team over the past three days and has withheld essential financial documents and information required for fair and transparent negotiations. The coalition highlighted that Kaiser’s financial reports reveal significant profits, with $3 billion in profit during the first half of 2023 and over $24 billion in profit over the past five years.
Kaiser, on the other hand, claimed that progress has been made in labor negotiations, despite the potential strike. The company urged employees to reject the call for a strike and remain focused on providing care to patients. Kaiser assured the availability of medical care should a strike occur.
One worker, Miriam de la Paz, voiced her frustration, stating that Kaiser cannot continue bargaining in bad faith while committing unfair labor practices. The coalition is seeking a four-year contract with annual pay increases of 7% in the first and second years, followed by yearly hikes of 6.25% in the third and fourth years. However, Kaiser has argued that wage increases should not be entirely based on market conditions, as it prevents them from addressing wage disparities and attracting top talent.
Mikki Fletchall, a licensed vocational nurse and SEIU-UHW member, criticized Kaiser for rejecting proposals that would both save the company money and improve worker retention. Additionally, she raised concerns about the impact of understaffing on patient care and the overworked conditions faced by healthcare workers.
Kaiser acknowledged that the pandemic has caused staffing challenges across the healthcare industry but asserted that it has managed these challenges better than most. The company and the coalition have agreed to collaborate on hiring initiatives, aiming to fill 10,000 new positions for Coalition-represented jobs in 2023.
Workers have made it clear that they will have no choice but to strike if Kaiser executives fail to address the unfair labor practices promptly. They emphasize that this is not a joke, but a serious matter that demands attention and resolution.
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