BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — More than 31,000 registered nurses and healthcare workers have gone on strike against Kaiser Permanente, affecting facilities across California and Hawaii, including Kern County.
31,000 healthcare professionals represented by the United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Healthcare Professionals join the picket lines against Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser says this open ended strike comes after their “generous” offer. KBAK/KBFX
The strike follows seven months of negotiations, with unions challenging what Kaiser describes as a “generous offer.”
Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, stated, “We’ve come to the table in very good faith to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement for our nurses and our other healthcare professionals.”
She highlighted that the offer includes a 21.5% increase, which she called “historic in healthcare,” with potential increases up to 30% for some nurses over the contract’s first two years.
Kaiser Permanente employees on verge on national strike (Photo: KBAK/KBFX)
However, union representatives argue the strike is about more than wages.
Stephenie Ellis, a striking healthcare worker, said, “We don’t want to have to be on strike. This isn’t, like, something that we enjoy doing, but we’re willing to make a stand because our patients deserve better, and our employees deserve better.”
The United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Healthcare Professionals are striking for fair wages, safe staffing, economic security, retirement benefits, and to challenge what they see as unfair labor practices.
They have also criticized Kaiser’s spending priorities.
31,000 healthcare professionals represented by the United Nurses Associations of California and the Union of Healthcare Professionals join the picket lines against Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser says this open ended strike comes after their “generous” offer. KBAK/KBFX
Ryan Greenleaf, an oncology nurse protesting, expressed the seriousness of their cause: “I hope Kaiser knows how serious we are, how serious, and not just about our jobs, but the patients we take care of.”
Applin-Jones emphasized that Kaiser’s investments focus on ensuring patients receive good care and that the main goal is to reach a fair agreement recognizing nurses’ contributions while keeping care affordable. She expressed hope that the labor union is ready to return to the bargaining table to finalize wage and benefit agreements.