Over 60,000 Kaiser Permanente workers vote for strikes if no labor deal reached.
Healthcare Workers Vote to Authorize Strike Against Kaiser Permanente
Over 60,000 healthcare workers in California, Oregon, and Washington have voted to authorize a strike against Kaiser Permanente if a labor agreement is not reached by the end of the month.
The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, representing tens of thousands of healthcare workers, announced that 98 percent of its members in California voted in favor of striking if a new contract cannot be reached.
Similarly, 98 percent of Kaiser Permanente workers in Oregon and Washington also voted to strike if no agreement is reached by Sept. 30.
Last week, Kaiser Permanente workers in Colorado voted to authorize a strike, joining the growing movement.
Other coalition unions are still awaiting the results of their strike authorization votes.
The union has accused Kaiser of unfair labor practices, unsafe staffing shortages, inadequate pay, and a failure to protect employees against subcontracting.
Union members are demanding a $25 per hour minimum wage and significant annual pay increases.
Kaiser has offered a lower minimum wage and cumulative wage increases over the next four years.
Conditions for Workers, Patients ‘Devastating’
“We’ve watched as co-worker after co-worker has left Kaiser for better paying, less stressful jobs. This has been devastating for our working conditions and for our patients—they wait endlessly to see us, and we are too rushed, stressed out, and exhausted to give them the care they deserve,” union officials said.
“Kaiser’s solution? To bargain in bad faith and to continue to commit unfair labor practices, while at the same time raising rates on patients, proposing cuts to our PSP, and eliminating protections against subcontracting,” officials continued. We keep telling Kaiser’s millionaire execs that something has to change. But they’re not listening.
“To deal with the staffing crisis, Kaiser must bargain in good faith and stop committing unfair labor practices,” union officials said.
The union’s last bargaining session with Kaiser is scheduled for Sept. 21–22.
If an agreement is not reached by the end of the month, union members will go on strike.
Healthcare workers in Oregon are required by law to give 10 days’ notice prior to striking to allow for patient transfers.
Strike Votes Are ‘Disappointing’
According to the union, Kaiser Permanente has reported significant profits and executive compensation.
If the strike occurs, it could be the largest healthcare strike in U.S. history.
Kaiser Permanente stated that the strike authorization vote does not indicate a breakdown in bargaining and expressed disappointment in the action.
The company is confident it can reach an agreement with healthcare workers before the national agreement expires.
How does the authorization of a strike by healthcare workers impact the negotiations between the union and Kaiser Permanente?
Healthcare Workers Vote to Authorize Strike Against Kaiser Permanente
Over 60,000 healthcare workers in California, Oregon, and Washington have voted to authorize a strike against Kaiser Permanente if a labor agreement is not reached by the end of the month. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, representing tens of thousands of healthcare workers, announced that 98 percent of its members in California voted in favor of striking if a new contract cannot be reached. Similarly, 98 percent of Kaiser Permanente workers in Oregon and Washington also voted to strike if no agreement is reached by Sept. 30.
Last week, Kaiser Permanente workers in Colorado voted to authorize a strike, joining the growing movement. Other coalition unions are still awaiting the results of their strike authorization votes.
The union has accused Kaiser of unfair labor practices, unsafe staffing shortages, inadequate pay, and a failure to protect employees against subcontracting. Union members are demanding a $25 per hour minimum wage and significant annual pay increases. In response, Kaiser has offered a lower minimum wage and cumulative wage increases over the next four years.
The healthcare workers’ decision to authorize a strike sends a strong message to Kaiser Permanente and highlights the pressing concerns and frustrations of healthcare workers. These workers, who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, are advocating for fair treatment, improved working conditions, and equitable compensation.
The demand for a $25 per hour minimum wage reflects the recognition that healthcare workers provide invaluable services and deserve adequate compensation for their efforts. Given the essential nature of their work, it is crucial for healthcare workers to be adequately supported and protected.
The authorization of a strike should serve as a wake-up call for Kaiser Permanente management. The overwhelming support from healthcare workers demonstrates the urgency and gravity of the situation. It is essential for both parties to engage in meaningful negotiations to address the grievances and reach a fair and satisfactory agreement.
As the healthcare industry continues to face challenges and changes, it is crucial for healthcare workers to have a voice in shaping their working conditions and ensuring their well-being. By standing together and advocating for their rights, healthcare workers are sending a powerful message that their contributions are vital and should be acknowledged and rewarded.
It is now up to Kaiser Permanente and the healthcare workers’ union to find common ground and work towards a resolution that addresses the concerns raised. The negotiations should prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers while also considering the financial sustainability of the organization.
The outcome of these negotiations has far-reaching implications not only for the healthcare industry but also for healthcare workers across the country. It is essential for all parties involved to approach the negotiations with a commitment to finding a fair and sustainable solution that recognizes the value of healthcare workers and ensures the delivery of high-quality care to patients.
In conclusion, the authorization of a strike by healthcare workers against Kaiser Permanente reflects the growing dissatisfaction and concerns within the industry. The demands for fair wages, improved working conditions, and a voice in decision-making cannot be ignored. It is crucial for Kaiser Permanente to engage in productive negotiations with the healthcare workers’ union to reach a resolution that addresses these concerns and ensures the well-being of healthcare workers and the delivery of quality care to patients.
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