Historic Healthcare Strike Launched by 31,000 Kaiser Workers Over Pay Dispute
An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities launched a five-day strike Tuesday morning. This marks the largest strike in the union’s 50-year history. The walkout affects hospitals and clinics across California, Hawaii, and Oregon as workers demand better wages and staffing levels.
The striking workers, which include a range of professionals such as:
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Physician Assistants
- Therapists
They are seeking a 25% wage increase over four years, arguing their wages have fallen behind market rates by at least 7%. Kaiser Permanente has countered with a 21.5% increase over the same period.
This strike represents one of the largest healthcare work stoppages in recent years, potentially growing to include 46,000 workers. Kaiser, which serves 12.6 million members across 600 medical offices and 40 hospitals, ensures that facilities will remain open with temporary staffing and management coverage. However, they do warn that some appointments may be rescheduled.