(The Center Square) – More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers have gone on strike for higher wages amid staffing shortages. While hospitals and emergency rooms remain open, the strike is causing delays for appointments and non-urgent procedures, though doctors and many nurses are not on strike.
After 6 months of negotiations between Kaiser and a coalition of unions representing workers across California, Colorado, Washington and Oregon failed to generate an agreement both sides could accept. The unions represent pharmacists, lab technicians, therapists and housekeepers who play a significant role in the healthcare system’s operations.
The union demanded an increase of minimum wages in the system to $25 per hour in addition to wage increases of 7% for the next two years and 6.25% for the following two years, and a minimum of $1500 per union member per year in Performance Sharing Program profit-sharing payouts. Earlier demands by the union have been to increase staffing amid a stated staffing shortage. Kaiser agreed with the union coalition to hire 10,000 more staff by the end of the year in agreed upon key positions, and has already met that hiring goal. However, Kaiser countered the union demands for a $25 per hour minimum wage with a $21 to $23 minimum wage, depending on the market, with $23 for high-cost states such as California.
“Members who need urgent or timely medical care should continue to seek it at our hospitals and medical facilities. A strike should not dissuade anyone from seeking necessary care,” said Kaiser, a health maintenance organization requiring paid membership, in a public statement. “We will contact members affected by any necessary changes in our services. We may need to reschedule non-emergency and elective services in some locations out of an abundance of caution.”
In a statement announcing the strike, the union coalition noted the national attention on labor strikes this summer, which included strikes by automotive and hospitality unions.
“Elected officials are increasingly paying attention and calling on Kaiser to settle a fair contract with healthcare workers,” the coalition said. “All eyes are on us as we prepare for the largest healthcare workers’ strike in history!”
