Kaiser Permanente Nurses End Week-Long Strike, Resume Bargaining on Wednesday
Over 30,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care professionals, including Physician Assistants, have ended their week-long strike in California and Hawaii. The strike, which began due to demands for safer staffing and fair wages, will conclude on Sunday morning. Both parties have agreed to resume bargaining on Wednesday, focusing on economic issues.
The strike, which started nearly two years after Kaiser Permanente employees began bargaining for their first contract, has highlighted concerns about unsafe staffing levels and wage inequalities. Union members have expressed dissatisfaction with Kaiser's proposals, stating that they do not meet the going rate for their positions and that annual raises have been low. Many Bay Area hospitals pay significantly more than Kaiser, making it difficult to hire and impacting employee morale.
Physician Assistant Arezou Mansourian, part of the organizing committee that unionized Kaiser Permanente employees, believes that having more Physician Assistants would allow for more efficient patient care and longer appointment times. However, Mansourian also notes that Kaiser's proposed raises are not enough to keep up with the cost of living.
The strike's end marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations between Kaiser Permanente and its employees. Both parties will reconvene on Wednesday to discuss economic issues, with the hope of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses staffing concerns and fair compensation.
