Kaiser Nurses Plan Five-Day Strike Across California and Hawaii

Health care workers affiliated with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals are preparing for a potential five-day strike starting on March 5, 2024. The strike could impact several facilities in San Diego County, including the Zion Medical Center in Grantville, San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa, and San Marcos Medical Center. Union officials indicate that this coordinated walkout involves approximately 31,000 members and extends throughout California and Hawaii.

Picketing is scheduled at the San Diego facilities on various days, with activity planned at Zion Medical Center on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; at San Diego Medical Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; and at San Marcos Medical Center daily from Tuesday through Saturday, between 07:00 and 19:00. The strike is set to conclude at 07:00 on the following Sunday.

The union’s decision to strike is rooted in concerns regarding patient care and demands for a fair contract. Key issues include safe staffing levels, equitable pay, and comprehensive benefits for health professionals. In response, Kaiser Permanente has announced that its hospitals and medical offices will remain operational. However, the organization has acknowledged that some non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries might need to be rescheduled.

In an official statement, Kaiser Permanente emphasized its commitment to patient care, stating, “We have robust plans in place to ensure continued care. It’s possible we may need to reschedule some non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries. Your care is our priority. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any potential inconvenience this may cause.” Patients have been advised not to cancel or reschedule their appointments unless contacted about necessary changes during the strike.

Kaiser has been engaged in negotiations with the Alliance of Health Care Unions since May, seeking to establish a new national agreement that supports employees while maintaining its reputation as a top employer. The organization reiterated its intention to continue bargaining in good faith, stating, “A strike notice doesn’t mean a strike will actually happen. We’ll continue bargaining in good faith… If a strike does happen, our hospitals and medical offices will stay open.”

According to the union’s website, this strike could become the largest in the history of UNAC/UHCP. Union representatives assert that the decision to strike stems from prolonged negotiations with Kaiser executives, who they claim have failed to address their demands for a fair contract.

As this situation develops, the implications for patient care and health service delivery in the affected areas remain a critical concern for both health care workers and patients.