Deal unlikely to stop strike, say Kaiser Permanente workers' unions

Robert Besser
04 Oct 2023, 02:05 GMT+10

As their current contract expires and their unions prepare to strike, Kaiser Permanente workers' representatives said it was unlikely there would be a new agreement with the healthcare provider
It and the company remained far apart on important issues, said the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions
It continues to bargain with the union, and strikes will not begin until October 4, Kaiser Permanenete said

OAKLAND, California: As their current contract expires and their unions prepare to strike, Kaiser Permanente workers' representatives said, on September 30, it was unlikely there would be a new agreement with the health care provider.

It and the company remained far apart on important issues, said the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions.

It continues to bargain with the union, and strikes will not begin until October 4, Kaiser Permanenete said.

The company told Reuters, "We remain optimistic that we will reach an agreement and avoid an unnecessary strike, which the Coalition unions have called for starting on October 4 morning."

In the largest potential U.S. health care workers' strike, early in September, more than 75,000 Kaiser workers in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington D.C. called for a strike from October 4 to 7.

The coalition's members demand a solution to staff shortages, pay rises, and improved medical plans.

In addition, a tight U.S. labor market, expiring union contracts, and high living costs have led to greater demand for pay hikes and benefits from workers and caused strikes and protests in many sectors.

U.S. auto workers have also been on strike against the Detroit Three automakers, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler parent Stellantis.