2023 Kaiser Bargaining team group via unioncoalition.org

What a labor group is calling the largest health care worker strike in U.S. history is set to begin Wednesday, with Kaiser Permanente employees in multiple states set to protest what they say are unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels throughout the country.

Kaiser Permanente provides care for more than 9.4 million Californians. It has been locked in negotiations with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up to 75,000 employees nationwide would be covered by the strike.

“Kaiser executives are refusing to listen to us and are bargaining in bad faith over the solutions we need to end the Kaiser short-staffing crisis,” said Jessica Cruz, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center. “I see my patients’ frustrations when I have to rush them and hurry on to my next patient. That’s not the care I want to give.”

Jobs affected by the strike will include vocational nurses, technicians from various departments, including emergency room technicians, health aids, medical assistants, housekeepers and other positions.

The two parties last negotiated a contract in 2019 prior to the pandemic which, workers say, has worsened working conditions and has exacerbated staffing shortages.

Kaiser Permanente issued a statement Sunday afternoon, assuring that normal operations will continue and that the provider will continue to honor all contract provisions despite the old contract having expired at midnight on Sept. 30.

Additionally, Kaiser assured employees that they continue to lead the market in compensation, adding that similar jobs at other providers would result in pay cuts of more than 20 percent and reduced benefits.

Additionally, Kaiser announced the addition of more than 50,000 frontline employees in the past two years, including 22,000 so far this year.

Of the added jobs this year, more than 9,800 hired were represented by the coalition.

“In the case that a strike does begin on Oct. 4, we have contingency plans in place to ensure members continue to receive safe, high-quality care for the duration of the strike,” a press release issued Sunday reads. “Our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open. Kaiser Permanente members can get updates on appointments, pharmacy guidance and where to get care on kp.org.”

Strikes are scheduled to begin at several Central Valley locations on Wednesday, including:

Fresno: Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center, 7300 N. Fresno St, Fresno

Manteca: Kaiser Permanente Manteca Medical Center, 1777 W. Yoesmite Ave., Manteca

Modesto: Kaiser Permanente Modesto Medical Clinic, 4601 Dale Road, Modesto

Stockton: Kaiser Permanente Stockton Medical Center, 7373 West Lane, Stockton