A potential five-day strike by health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, potentially impacting three hospitals in San Diego County, as reported by union officials.
This strike initiative is part of a statewide walkout across California and Hawaii, involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. The membership includes registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, rehabilitation therapists, dietitians, speech-language pathologists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, and various other specialty health personnel.
The San Diego County locations affected include Zion Medical Center in Grantville, where picketing is anticipated on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday); and San Marcos Medical Center, which will see daily picketing from Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The strike is expected to conclude at 7 a.m. the following Sunday.
The union asserts that the strike aims to safeguard patient care and secure a fair contract that addresses safe staffing levels, equitable pay, and benefits.
Kaiser Permanente, however, stated that its hospitals and medical offices will remain operational, although some non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries may be postponed.
“We have established strong plans to ensure ongoing care. It is possible that we may need to reschedule some non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries,” the company mentioned in an online statement. “Your care is our priority. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any potential inconvenience this may cause.”
Patients are encouraged not to cancel or reschedule appointments and will be informed if any changes are necessary during the strike.
“Since May, we have been negotiating in good faith with the Alliance of Health Care Unions regarding a new national agreement that supports our employees, maintains our reputation as a preferred workplace, and ensures affordable care for our members,” the health care provider stated. “A strike notice does not guarantee that a strike will occur. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the Alliance and strive to reach an agreement before a strike takes place. If a strike does occur, our hospitals and medical offices will remain open.”
A statement on the union’s website indicates that this would mark the largest strike in UNAC/UHCP’s history.
“Workers are striking after Kaiser executives have not settled a fair contract despite months of negotiations,” they explained.
