Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals began an open-ended strike Jan. 26 at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California and Hawaii, according to a union news release shared with Becker’s.
Seven things to know:
1. The union said the strike affects 31,000 front-line registered nurses and healthcare professionals at over two dozen hospitals and hundreds of clinics. Represented roles include registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty clinicians.
2. UNAC/UHCP — part of the Alliance of Health Care Unions — launched the strike after the expiration of its contract on Sept. 30, 2025. Negotiations for a new agreement began in May 2025.
3. Kaiser Permanente, based in Oakland, Calif., said its current proposal “includes the strongest compensation package in our national bargaining history: a 21.5% wage increase over the life of the contract, with 16% within the first two years.” Step increases and local adjustments would bring the total average increase to about 30%, the organization said in a statement shared with Becker’s.
4. The union said bargaining has not yet produced a fair contract that addresses what it described as persistent short staffing and growing workloads affecting patient care. Other core issues include wages, retirement and benefits. “This strike is about restoring safe staffing levels, timely access to care and respect for the professionals who deliver that care every day,” UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine Morales, RN, said in a union statement.
5. Kaiser also said, “Our focus remains on reaching agreements that recognize the vital contributions of our employees while ensuring high-quality, affordable care. We have proposed 21.5% wage increases — our strongest national bargaining offer ever — and we are prepared to close agreements at local tables now.”
6. This is the union’s second strike in recent months. A five-day strike in October 2025 concluded Oct. 19, with both sides agreeing to resume bargaining focused on economic issues.
7. Kaiser said its hospitals and most medical offices will remain open during the strike. Some appointments may be shifted to virtual care or rescheduled, including certain elective surgeries and procedures. The health system said it has contingency plans in place and is using physicians, managers, trained staff and contract professionals to support operations.
