Several member locals of the Alliance of Health Care Unions have issued notices to Kaiser facilities across multiple states for a five-day strike involving tens of thousands of workers and set to begin Oct. 14.
Seven things to know:
1. The alliance is a federation of 23 union locals representing 62,000 employees. A Kaiser spokesperson told Becker’s the Oakland, Calif.-based health system has received formal strike notifications from the following unions:
- United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals
- United Steelworkers Local 7600
- Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (home health/hospice, respiratory therapist and laboratory professionals units)
- Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals
- Oregon Nurses Association
2. While these unions have issued strike notices, not all employees are eligible to strike, according to statements shared with Becker’s by Kaiser and the unions. For example, some HNHP/UNAC locals are not eligible.
3. UNAC/UHCP estimates about 31,000 of its members in California and Hawaii will participate. OFNHP represents nearly 4,000 registered nurses, laboratory professionals and other employees across four bargaining units who are eligible, according to a news release shared with Becker’s.
4. The strike notices come as Kaiser has been negotiating with the alliance for a new labor contract since May. Contracts for tens of thousands of alliance members expired Sept. 30 or Oct. 1.
5. Kaiser said that it has made an offer that “boosts above-market pay, benefits and career growth, and raises wages by 21.5% over four years. It also improves medical plans, retiree benefits and invests in educational trust funds supporting employees’ goals.”
6. Union members contend that negotiations have not produced adequate progress to address their concerns. They are seeking safe staffing, fair pay, economic security and retirement security.
“Longer wait times for appointments and shorter times with caregivers undermine the quality of care. At Kaiser, our members provide the best care — if patients can get it in a timely manner,” OFNHP President Sarina Roher said in a news release shared with Becker’s. “We want to get back to what Kaiser once stood for — a value system that puts patients first and a partnership with its caregivers.”
7. Another bargaining session is scheduled for Oct. 6-10.
