USA: 75,000 health workers threaten to extend work stoppage

The biggest health workers strike in the history of the United States, in which more than 75,000 unionized employees of the Kaiser Permanente consortium participate, has reached its third day this Friday without an agreement having been reached and with the threat of extending the stoppage of activities.

The national strike, which began Wednesday, is scheduled to end Saturday morning. But, as the coalition of unions carrying out the strike explained in a statement, “a ten-day strike notice may be issued after tomorrow”.

“This could lead to further strikes by Kaiser employees after those ten days if Kaiser executives continue to engage in unfair labor practices and bargain in bad faith.”, he indicated.

The coalition accused Kaiser Permanente executives of threatening to outsource staff as a pressure measure.

““Kaiser executives refuse to listen to us and are negotiating in bad faith for the solutions we need to end the staffing crisis.”said Jessica Cruz, a nurse at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center.

For its part, the company, which provides services to more than 13 million members, operates 39 hospitals and more than 700 medical offices in the country, said in a statement that it is committed “to reach an agreement that is good for our employees, our members and our organization, and we will continue to negotiate in good faith”.

The striking workers, who are part of eight unions that make up 40% of Kaiser Permanente’s total staff, are demanding a pay increase and safer work environments as, after the pandemic, they say, staff shortages are compromising the patient care and pushing many workers to the limit.

The strikers are nursing staff, receptionists, optometrists and pharmacists who have gone on strike after their contracts expired on September 30 without reaching a salary improvement agreement with the company.

The states most affected by the strike are California, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, Oregon and Washington DC.

The next negotiation sessions between Kaiser Permanente and the coalition are scheduled for Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13.

The health strike occurs when the United States is experiencing one of the largest strikes in the history of the automobile sector. This Friday the unions of some 25,000 workers at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis said they remain on strike despite last-minute progress in negotiating a new collective agreement.