An estimated 75,000 healthcare workers are gearing up for a three-day strike from October 4 to 6, following the expiration of their contract with Kaiser Permanente without a new agreement in place.
On its website, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions expressed uncertainty about reaching a new agreement as their current contract was set to expire at midnight.
Locally, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, representing approximately 60,000 healthcare workers in California, announced that 98% of its members had voted to authorize a strike to protest “unfair labor practices” if an agreement was not reached before the contract expired.
In addition to affecting healthcare workers in California, the strike would also impact workers in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington DC. The Coalition stated that this would be the largest-ever healthcare workers’ strike.
Despite the planned strike, the Coalition acknowledged that the ongoing talks have been mostly positive.
The statement said, “There have been productive discussions with Kaiser on various issues, and even though no concrete agreement has been reached, we can identify a potential resolution on raising shift differentials, establishing a fair remote work agreement, and investing in training for current employees to fill harder-to-staff positions, as well as training community members to join the healthcare workforce of the future.”
However, the statement also highlighted the significant differences between the two sides on pay raises, protections from subcontracting and outsourcing, union support and recognition, performance-sharing bonuses, and a medical plan for retirees.
The Coalition stated, “Kaiser continues to negotiate in bad faith regarding these issues, and so far, we see no resolution in sight.”
Officials at Kaiser acknowledged ongoing negotiations but believed that the planned strike was unnecessary.
On its website, the healthcare provider asserted, “We are committed to bargaining with the Coalition to secure a new agreement that safeguards and enhances all the great benefits of working at Kaiser Permanente. Our objective is to achieve a fair and equitable agreement that strengthens our position as an excellent workplace and ensures that the high-quality care our members expect remains accessible and affordable.”
“Given the progress made in national negotiations, there is no justification for a strike. The bargaining table is the best forum to reach an agreement. We will urge our employees to reject any call to abandon their jobs, patients, and colleagues. While a strike threat is disappointing, it does not guarantee an actual strike. We take any threat to disrupt care for our members seriously and have contingency plans in place to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality care should a strike occur.”
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
