Hospital Strike: What to Know About The 31K-Nurse Strike At Dozens Of CA Hospitals

More than 31,000 nurses and healthcare professionals will begin a five-day strike Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente facilities in California. This strike could also include members from other unions, which represents 62,000 Kaiser employees.

More than 31,000 nurses and healthcare professionals, represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, are scheduled to begin a five-day strike Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente. The strik will affect over two dozen hospitals and clinics across California, Hawaii and Oregon.

The strike is anticipated to be one of the largest healthcare strikes in recent history, union officials said. It will also see participation from members of other unions within the Alliance of Health Care Unions, which collectively represents 62,000 Kaiser employees nationwide.

“If a strike does happen, our hospitals and medical offices will stay open. We have robust plans in place to ensure continued care,” Kaiser stated.

On Sept. 23, Kaiser nurses held an informational picket, protesting what they claim are recent layoffs, wage theft, the introduction of unproven technologies and Kaiser's perceived prioritization of financial gains over patient care.

Union officials said the core issues driving the strike are: enforceable staffing ratios and schedules based on patient acuity, not corporate targets, citing risks to staff and patients; high turnover due to inflation and rising living costs, as wage proposals fail to keep pace, making it difficult for staff to afford living in their service communities; concerns about retirement security in ongoing discussions about long-term benefit and pension offerings; and the need for greater frontline caregiver input on patient care and working conditions.

Kaiser Permanente offered a new contract with a 21.5% pay raise over four years, improved benefits and education investments, union officials said. Contingency plans, including temporary workers and rescheduling, will be enacted during any strike. Despite months of bargaining, union leaders report limited progress. A strike could still be averted if an agreement is reached during bargaining sessions, which ends Friday.

"Since May, we've negotiated in good faith with the Alliance of Health Care Unions on a new national agreement to support employees, maintain our status as a top workplace, and ensure affordable member care," Kaiser stated.

While a strike notice does not guarantee a strike will occur, Kaiser stated they are committed to continued good-faith bargaining with the Alliance to reach an agreement before then.