Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare workers go on strike
DOWNEY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - Thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare workers are on the picket lines Monday.
The 31,000 workers at facilities in California and Hawaii are claiming unfair practices, and they're members of the United Nurses Association of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals.
Members say they'll stay off the job until a fair contract is reached.
They accuse Kaiser of refusing to bargain in good faith over staffing that protects patients and workload standards that stop moral injury.
Kaiser Permanente issued the following statement:
"Our focus remains on reaching agreements that recognize the vital contributions of our employees while ensuring excellent, affordable care. We have proposed 21.5% wage increases -- our strongest national bargaining offer ever -- and we are prepared to close agreements at local tables now. Employees deserve their raises and patients deserve our full attention, not prolonged disputes."
