More than 31,000 registered nurses and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente launched an open-ended strike on Wednesday (January 28) across California and Hawaii, demanding improved wages and staffing levels from the healthcare giant.
The walkout marks the second major labor action by Kaiser employees in recent months, following a five-day strike in October. Negotiations between Kaiser and the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) have stalled since talks broke down in December.
"Kaiser isn't strapped for resources. It's making choices — and those choices are hurting people. It's time for accountability," said Charmaine Morales, president of UNAC/UHCP.
Striking workers, including nurses, pharmacists, midwives, and rehabilitation therapists, argue their wages haven't kept pace with inflation and staffing shortages are affecting patient care. The union is seeking a 25% wage increase over four years to make up for what they claim is a 7% lag behind industry peers.
Kaiser has countered with a 21.5% increase over four years, which they describe as "the strongest compensation package in our national bargaining history." The healthcare provider maintains that their represented employees already earn about 16% more than similar roles at other organizations.
"Despite the union's claims, this strike is about wages," Kaiser said in a statement. "This open-ended strike by UNAC/UHCP is unnecessary when such a generous offer is on the table."
Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health plans serving 12.6 million members, says hospitals and most medical offices will remain open during the strike. Some in-person appointments will shift to virtual care, and certain elective surgeries and procedures may be rescheduled.
The Kaiser strike coincides with ongoing labor actions in the healthcare sector, including a two-week walkout by nearly 15,000 nurses in New York City.