Kaiser Lays Off Dozens Of Nurses In Petaluma, San Rafael: Report

PETALUMA, CA — Dozens of nurses were laid off by Kaiser Permanente who work in outpatient clinics in San Rafael and Petaluma, according to media reports.

The layoff notices were issued to 42 nurses on Thursday and will take effect in 60 days, the health care system and the California Nurses Association told the North Bay Business Journal.

Kaiser Permanente has reportedly cited COVID-19 as its reason to make cost cuts.

Earlier this week, the health giant told the union about its intent to eliminate dozens of positions across two clinics in San Rafael and in Petaluma, the journal reported.

That number may be reduced as the union attempts to bargain with Kaiser, the healthcare system wrote in a statement. The layoffs did not affect hospitals, Kaiser added.

READ MORE: Massive Layoffs Planned For Major Bay Area Health Organization

“At our San Rafael Medical Center, which employs nearly 2,500 staff and physicians, the volume of care in our outpatient settings increased significantly during the pandemic and has now shifted to other settings or locations,” the statement reads. “To match staffing and care needs, we are rebalancing resources.”

Read more in the North Bay Business Journal: Kaiser Permanente issues layoff notices to dozens of nurses in San Rafael and Petaluma