The contracts for thousands of Kaiser nurses and other union-backed health care workers are set to expire just before midnight Tuesday, and workers have authorized a strike.
The union represents about 30,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, therapists and a other health care professionals at Kaiser facilities in Northern California.
Union leaders say staffing levels are unsafe and pay is too low for many of the workers, especially in the Bay Area, where the cost of living is so high.
Kaiser released the following statement Tuesday:
"Kaiser Permanente has a proud history of working with labor unions. We employ the largest number of union-organized health care workers in the country, represented by over 40 unions. We’ve earned our reputation for being an employer of choice by offering competitive pay, industry-leading benefits, and meaningful career development opportunities. We respect the Alliance of Health Care Unions and value their members --our employees -- for the collaborative work we do together every day to provide high-quality, affordable health care and support to our 12.6 million members."
"Since May, we have been negotiating in good faith with the Alliance, which includes United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), on new national and local union agreements to replace the ones expiring September 30, 2025. To date, we’ve held five national bargaining sessions, reaching 45 national tentative agreements. Local contract bargaining with more than 20 Alliance unions began in March, with over 700 sessions held to date.
"During each bargaining session, employees and leaders are actively engaged in the negotiation process, working diligently to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. The atmosphere is one of cooperation and respect, as both sides are committed to finding solutions that will benefit our employees and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, affordable health care to our members and the communities we serve. With bargaining teams focused on making the most of every remaining hour, both parties agreed to enter independent, third-party mediation during our 6th national bargaining session to help drive progress.
"Through continued dialogue and collaboration, and the support of experienced mediators, we remain optimistic about reaching an agreement that reflects our shared commitment to these principles.
"We are proposing to increase our already market-leading pay and benefits. Today, our health care professionals receive competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities to develop and grow their careers. Our total compensation philosophy includes wages that are as much as 10% above the markets in which our employees work.
"Our current proposal will increase wages for Alliance-represented employees by 20% over four years, enhance their low-cost medical plans and retiree medical benefits, and boost investments in educational trust funds that support employees’ higher education and career development goals.
"The Alliance unions’ claims about Kaiser Permanente quality and staffing do not reflect the facts. Kaiser Permanente consistently meets or exceeds state-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. In 2024, we hired over 6,300 employees—including 4,700 in care delivery and more than 1,600 in Alliance-represented roles. Our employees like their work and stay with us: Alliance employees have a turnover rate of just 8%, compared to the industry average of 20%, and typically stay with Kaiser Permanente for an average of 23 years at retirement.
"Our integrated care model delivers superior outcomes, including lower rates of premature death from heart disease and cancer. For the third straight year, our health plans are the only ones in the state to earn 5-star ratings from the California Office of the Patient Advocate. Additionally, 38 of our hospitals were named “high performing” by U.S. News & World Report across multiple specialties.
"Kaiser Permanente will continue to negotiate with the Alliance of Health Care Unions at the bargaining table. Through good faith negotiations and mutual respect, we believe we can reach an agreement that benefits employees and helps us continue to deliver high-quality, affordable health care that our members, patients, customers and communities expect from Kaiser Permanente."
Source: nbcbayarea.com
