Kaiser Permanente Faces Strike by Northern California Healthcare Workers
Hundreds of healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities across Northern california began a one-day strike on September 8, impacting over 20 hospitals. The strike involves more than 600 nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists, represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP). Around 1,300 healthcare professionals total are participating, including physician assistants, acupuncturists, and members of Local 39 engineers who have issued sympathy strike notices.The core issues driving the strike center on concerns about “unsafe staffing, burnout, and the risk to patient care,” according to a UNAC/UHCP news release. Negotiations between Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions – which includes UNAC/UHCP – began in May, with the current agreement set to expire on September 30.
Kaiser Permanente expressed disappointment with the strike action, noting scheduled negotiations throughout September. “We will continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that is good for our employees and allows us to continue providing high-quality care that is affordable for our members and patients,” a Kaiser Permanente spokesperson stated.
Despite the strike, Kaiser Permanente maintains that it’s facilities will remain open with “robust plans in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the high-quality care and services our members and patients deserve.”
UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine Morales, RN, emphasized the broader goals of the striking workers: “We’re not onyl fighting for fair treatment at work – we’re demanding the staffing, resources, and respect that make safe, expert care possible.”
Kaiser Permanente asserts its staffing levels already meet or exceed California’s mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. The health system reported adding over 6,332 employees in 2024, including 4,695 in care delivery roles and 1,684 in Alliance-represented positions. They also highlighted a 92% retention rate among Alliance-represented employees, which they claim is significantly higher than the national healthcare average.
