Over 75,000 employees of Kaiser Permanente initiated one of the largest healthcare worker strikes in recent U.S. history, following the failure to resolve a dispute concerning staffing levels.
This significant strike, organized by union members, affects the largest non-profit healthcare organization in the United States.
The strike began in the morning at locations in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is expected to expand to the West Coast later in the day, where the majority of Kaiser Permanente’s workforce is situated.
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, an umbrella group representing local unions, previously stated that this strike would be “the largest healthcare worker strike in U.S. history.”
Furthermore, they warned of potential further strike actions in November should Kaiser Permanente persist in what they consider to be unfair labor practices.
The union’s demands include across-the-board pay increases and protections against subcontracting and outsourcing of labor.
Kaiser Permanente, in response, has indicated its intention to maintain operations at its medical centers throughout the three-day strike.
This strike highlights the ongoing tension between healthcare workers and employers over staffing levels and workers’ rights in the healthcare industry, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues for the well-being of both employees and patients.
“We are disappointed that some unions have called on employees to participate in labor strikes,” the company announced in a statement posted on its website.
Although the company claimed to have emergency preparations in place, it advised clients to anticipate “longer than usual” wait times.
“Our medical centers will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by our physicians and trained and experienced managers and staff,” it added.
