Kaiser Permanente health care workers completed a three-day strike on Friday and are expected to return to work on Saturday morning without a new contract.
Negotiation sessions have not been scheduled until Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13. Union officials have warned that another walkout is possible as several key issues, including wage increases, have not been agreed upon.
In a statement, union officials said, “Outsourcing of critical health care duties has become a key sticking point in negotiations. Kaiser executives have refused to put limitations on subcontracting and outsourcing, which impacts experienced health care workers and continuity of care for patients.”
The strike, which involved X-ray technicians, receptionists, medical assistants, and sanitation workers, immediately affected Kaiser’s operations. The organization had to bring in outside workers to keep its facilities open, leading to rescheduled appointments and procedures, including non-urgent surgeries.
On Friday, more than half of Kaiser’s 106 laboratories in Southern California were closed, and almost two dozen medical offices in Oregon and Washington were closed as well. Some departments in the remaining 11 operating facilities were also temporarily closed. Kaiser advised patients to use mail-order pharmacy services and conduct virtual visits.
The acting head of the U.S. Department of Labor, Julie A. Su, met with officials from both sides of the negotiations this week and plans to be present when talks resume on Thursday.
The labor dispute between Kaiser Permanente and its unions is part of a larger trend of labor unrest across various industries. Health workers have been expressing frustration with working conditions, pay, and staffing shortages exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing about half of Kaiser’s unionized work force and over 75,000 workers, organized the strike. Union members are fighting for higher wages and improved staffing levels at Kaiser’s hospitals and clinics.
For Kaiser Permanente, this strike marks a turning point in their historically amicable relationship with employees.
Edith Hurtado, a medical assistant, participated in the strike due to exhaustion and short-staffing at her clinic, causing longer wait times for patients.
The strike aims to address low staffing levels, improved working conditions, and rising living costs. Unions believe that improving working conditions for health care workers also benefits patient care.
Timothy Regan, a clinical health educator, expressed the desire for a collaborative partnership and better working conditions for future generations.
Soumya Karlamangla contributed reporting.