Over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers have ended their historic strike without reaching a contract deal.
This marks the conclusion of the US’s largest walkout ever staged by healthcare employees.
The workers are returning to their jobs without a contract agreement in place.
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The three-day strike at Kaiser hospitals and medical facilities across five states and Washington, D.C. ended yesterday (Sunday, October 8).
The walk-offs by nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and others started early Wednesday, October 4.
It occurred in California, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and the nation’s capital.
The workers complained of chronic understaffing, which they argue benefits Kaiser’s financial standing but negatively impacts patient care and employee morale.
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In response, Kaiser, a managed care giant, says it faces a widespread shortage of healthcare workers, necessitating current staffing levels.
Kaiser, headquartered in Oakland, and the coalition of unions representing the workers have announced their intention to resume negotiations next week.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for October 12.
However, the coalition has hinted at the possibility of another strike looming on the horizon.
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After Saturday, they may issue another 10-day notice of their intent to strike, citing concerns about staffing levels and outsourcing as unresolved issues.
Kathleen Coleman, a medical assistant at Arapahoe Primary Care in Colorado, said Kaiser “needs to retain and attract qualified health care professionals.
“Outsourcing and subcontracting would have the opposite effect.”
Kaiser’s wage proposal earlier in the week offered an hourly minimum ranging from $21 to $23.
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It depends on location, starting next year, with incremental increases of one dollar in 2025 and 2026.
During the summer, the unions had advocated for a $25 per hour minimum wage across all Kaiser facilities.
Kaiser defended its wage proposal, saying its commitment to offering competitive wages and benefits while ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare for its members.
Employees who participated in the strike said they were severely overworked and lacked adequate support to provide proper patient care.
This strike aligns with a broader trend of increased momentum for organized labor.
