Kaiser strike begins, sending tens of thousands to the picket lines
Overnight negotiations failed to bring resolution to a labor dispute over wages and staffing.
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Healthcare workers picket outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a nationwide strike on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Moreno Valley. More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in several states are on strike, protesting unfair labor practices and staffing issues. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Registered Nurse Tiarra Gomez playfully strums a sign like a guitar as healthcare workers protest outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a strike in Moreno Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states are striking, protesting unfair labor practices and staffing issues at Kaiser facilities nationwide. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers demonstrate outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a nationwide strike on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Moreno Valley. More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in several states are on strike, protesting unfair labor practices and staffing issues. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers hold signs in protest outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a strike in Moreno Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers across multiple states are on strike, demonstrating against unfair labor practices and staffing issues at Kaiser facilities nationwide. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers demonstrate outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a nationwide strike on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Moreno Valley. More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in several states are on strike, protesting unfair labor practices and staffing issues. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers dance as they picket outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a nationwide strike on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Moreno Valley. More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in several states are on strike, protesting unfair labor practices and staffing issues. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers and supporters participate in a protest outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a strike in Moreno Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states are on strike, demonstrating against unfair labor practices and staffing issues at Kaiser facilities nationwide. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Healthcare workers and supporters participate in a protest outside Kaiser Permanente hospital during a strike in Moreno Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Over 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states are on strike, demonstrating against unfair labor practices and staffing issues at Kaiser facilities nationwide. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Two-year-old Eva Setyawan checks out others on the Kaiser Permanente picket line in Irvine where a couple hundred healthcare workers joined 75,000 other workers in multiple states for what they say are unfair labor practices and staffing issues. Eva’s mother is a Kaiser medical assistant. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 Kaiser Permanente workers picket in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The health care employees launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 sign-carrying Kaiser Permanente workers picket in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The health care employees launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente workers Anahi and Martin Zeferino with their daughter Mayah, 22 months, join others in Irvine to picket during a three-day strike on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Workers claim unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. The Zeferino’s say they are hoping for a raise and a good pension for their kids. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 Kaiser Permanente workers picket in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The health care employees launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 Kaiser Permanente workers picket in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The health care employees launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 Kaiser Permanente workers picket in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The health care employees launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente worker Salvador Villaneva spends part of his 50th birthday on the picket line in Irvine on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Kaiser workers launched a three-day strike claiming unfair labor practices and staffing issues. The strike involves more than 75,000 Kaiser workers nationwide, including 23,000 in Southern California. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers walk the picket line in Los Angeles as they begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crystal Davis, a Kaiser Permanente optician, walks the picket line in Los Angeles as healthcare workers begin a three-day strike involving more than 75,000 Kaiser workers on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Maritza Rivera, LVN II drums on a bucket as more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in multiple states began a three day strike on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and facilities across the United States. This picket line at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center received constant supportive honks from the mostly working class neighborhood in Harbor City on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Hundreds of employees at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center picket early Wednesday morning, Oct. 4, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Striking healthcare workers line the streets outside the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills medical center on Wednesday, Oct.4. Photo: Dean Musgrove, SCNG
The three-day strike in California and three other states marks the latest major labor unrest in the nation. Workers, 75,000 in all with 23,000 in Southern California, contend they are fighting for better wages amid rising costs of living. They also say low staffing levels are hurting workers and Kaiser patients.
“We remain committed to reaching a new agreement that continues to provide our employees with market-leading wages, excellent benefits, generous retirement income plans, and valuable professional development opportunities,” Kaiser said Wednesday morning.
The Oakland-based healthcare provider, which serves 9.4 million members in California, said it will keep all hospitals and emergency departments open. It operates three dozen hospitals and more than 500 medical offices in the state. A notice on Kaiser’s website said many of its labs in Southern California have closed temporarily.
Pickets launched at 6 a.m. at hospitals across the state, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties.
At Woodland Hills Medical Center, more than 400 picketers gathered at the complex’s entrances carrying signs that said “Kaiser: Put Patients First.”
At Kaiser’s Downey facility, more than 500 picketers lined Imperial Highway outside the medical center. Hundreds more lined the streets outside the Kaiser South Bay Medical Center, toting signs that said “Kaiser Workers Won’t Be Silenced.”
“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. We’re burning ourselves out trying to do the jobs of two or three people, and our patients suffer when they can’t get the care they need due to Kaiser’s short-staffing.”.
The contracts for thousands of healthcare technicians, respiratory therapists, dietary workers, vocational nurses and home health aides expired Saturday, Sept. 30. The strike is also affecting Kaiser facilities across Colorado, Oregon and southwest Washington state. One-day strikes were taking place in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The coalition and Kaiser officials are at odds over wages and staffing after record levels of exits caused by pandemic burnout. The unions want a 25% raise over four years and a $25-per-hour minimum wage for all workers across the U.S. Kaiser has offered 13%-16% raises over four years depending on the state and a $23 minimum wage for California workers.
A representative for Kaiser said rising inflation has led to a “massive surge” in expenses, creating a challenge for the healthcare provider to balance the needs of its employees while also providing more affordable care to its members.
“Wages and benefits make up about half the cost of health care in America, so we all need to work together on that critical goal,” Kaiser said in a statement released Wednesday. “At the same time, in the wake of the pandemic, demand for care has increased dramatically, as people come in for care that has been delayed. Kaiser Permanente is not immune to these inflationary pressures,” the company said.
But conditions at work have nurses and technicians feeling tired and neglected.
“Every time I go to work, we are so short-staffed and it just affects everybody,” said Lissett Marrufo, an LVN at Kaiser’s South Bay Medical Center. “We’re always feeling like like we’re not valued. It’s just exhausting and people don’t want to go to work because they already know what to expect.”
Marrufo also said that the staffing situation at Kaiser isn’t just bad for workers. It also means that patients face delays and other challenges when seeking medical services.
“They pay lots of money for their health care, and they’re not getting the service they deserve,” she said. “They’re having to wait long periods of time.”
Brittany Everidge, a ward clerk transcriber at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s maternal child health department, was among those on the picket line. She said because of staffing shortages, pregnant people in active labor can be stuck waiting for hours to be checked in. Other times, too few transcribers can lead to delays in creating and updating charts for new babies.
“We don’t ever want to be in a situation where the nurses have to do our job,” she said.
Doctors are not participating in the strike, and Kaiser said it was bringing in thousands of temporary workers.
The strike comes in a year when there have been work stoppages within multiple industries, including, transportation, entertainment and hospitality.
The healthcare industry alone has been hit by several strikes this year as it confronts burnout from heavy workloads — problems that were exacerbated greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tonya Harris joined the picket line in Irvine. She said medical assistants like her are often asked to double up with doctors – each of whom has up to 20 patients – instead of working one-to-one.
“You’re running around and you’re trying to basically keep up with the flow,” she said, wearing her strike captain vest over her scrubs.
The single mother with two kids going into college said she also can’t afford to live in Orange County on her current pay.
I’m here at the Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center where health care workers in Downey join the other 75,000 health care workers to strike at Kaiser Permanente over unfair labor practices. It is the largest health care worker strike in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/5vlpSJOO6E
While Kaiser says it has one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry and will have hired 10,000 new employees by the end of the month, Renée Saldana, a spokesperson for Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, said the coalition has questions about whether those new hires are being used to fill existing vacancies or to staff new facilities as Kaiser expands across the country.
Kaiser Permanente reported $2.1 billion in net income for this year’s second quarter on more than $25 billion in operating revenue. However the company said it still was dealing with cost headwinds and challenges from inflation and labor shortages.
Kaiser executive Michelle Gaskill-Hames defended the company and said its practices, compensation and retention are better than its competitors, even as the entire sector faces the same challenges.
“Our focus, for the dollars that we bring in, is to keep them invested in value-based care,” said Gaskill-Hames, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Southern California and Hawaii.
John L. Sharron from Lakewood is a patient at Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center and stands in support with the healthcare workers on strike. “The lines are getting longer,” he said. Sharron said he is proud to be standing with workers. Photo: Christina Merino, SCNG
Economist Christopher Thornberg, a founding partner with Beacon Economics, said an “era of miserablism” is fomenting frustration among workers.
“The social narrative is about ‘the man’ unfairly taking his piece of the pie and unfairly keeping the working class down,” he said. “That kind of palpable anger drives labor movements.”
Thornberg added that Southern California is also in a tight labor market where there are plenty of job openings but a scarcity of available workers.
“That gives lift to the unions and gives them more power,” he said. “So where does it go from here? I really don’t know.”
Union workers will remain on the picket line until Saturday morning.
“It’s good to see all of us standing together out here,” said Patricia Martinez, a service representative at Kaiser’s Downey facility. “Finally we’re fighting,” she added, noting that the strike was a long time coming.
“Hopefully by today (Kaiser) will make a choice,” she said, “because we do want to get back to work, we love to do what we do on a daily basis, but we have to be here.”
The Associated Press, City News Service and CalMatters contributed to this report.
