Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers began a three-day strike on Wednesday following failed contract negotiations.
The strike action, which began with some workers in Virginia and the District of Columbia, may lead to potential patient delays in accessing medical services, particularly in California. It has also sparked conversation on social media, with several people expressing their support and desire to join the picket line.
Kaiser Permanente Clashes With Employees Following Expiration of Old Contract
More than 75,000 Kaiser workers, including pharmacy workers, X-ray and lab technicians, sanitation workers and support staff, have gone on strike after not agreeing to a new contract. Workers stationed themselves outside Kaiser facilities such as hospitals and clinics in California early Wednesday morning.
Although doctors and many nurses are not part of the strike, Kaiser officials warned that some non-urgent procedures may be delayed, wait times for telephone assistance may be longer, and clinic hours may be reduced.
The striking union members operate imaging equipment, play a key role in surgeries, and provide assistance in outpatient clinics. Some of the non-urgent procedures they perform are medical appointments, lab results and prescriptions.
This morning at 6 a.m., Pacific health care workers at Kaiser Permanente called off their strike.
75,000 workers have just launched the largest strike the US healthcare industry has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/0646ATKkY2
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) October 4, 2023
To address workflow disruptions, The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, made up of a dozen unions representing frontline health care workers, previously shared in an earlier statement:
“Tens of thousands of front-line Kaiser health care workers across the country are set to strike against unfair labor practices at 6 a.m. today. Patients and employees need dramatic action now to resolve Kaiser’s short-term staffing crisis and to ensure the safety of our patients.”
The New York Times noted that Kaiser disclosed that it has a “robust contingency plan to ensure members continue to receive safe, high-quality care in the event of a strike,” emphasizing that all of its hospitals and emergency departments will remain open.
The integrated managed care consortium also shared that discussions about the new contract are still ongoing following the expiration of that contract over the weekend. In a statement released earlier in the day, the outfit explained that the two sides “are still at the bargaining table, having worked through the night to reach an agreement.”
The statement noted significant progress, with “agreement on a number of specific proposals” late Tuesday. Tensions have arisen over severe staff shortages that have led to contract expirations, causing friction between unions and Kaiser executives.
Employees argue that inadequate staffing at Kaiser facilities compromises patient safety. The union argued that Kaiser needed to offer better wages to attract and retain staff, especially given the significant workforce challenges during the pandemic.
In its proposal for a new four-year contract, the union has asked for a minimum wage of $25 an hour and proposed raises of 7% in the first two years and 6.25% in the next two years. Instead, Kaiser has responded with an hourly minimum wage ranging from $21 to $23 the following year, with gradual annual increases of $1. Specific hikes will vary depending on location.
? A message to our Kaiser patients. ? Join us in calling on Kaiser executives to bargain in good faith on a solution to Kaiser’s short-staffing crisis. Share our message with your family, friends and all Kaiser patients. #United4All #Season of Solidarity pic.twitter.com/uB0rKoAM0p
— SEIU-UHW #United4All (@seiu_uhw) October 3, 2023
Kaiser, a major nonprofit health system, offers care through its health plans to about 13 million people in eight states. Union leaders have stated that the strike has the potential to be the largest strike by health care workers in recent US history, underscoring the importance of labor action.
Kaiser Permanente Employee Strike Action Begins to Gain Traction
When news of the strike reached social media platform X — formerly known as Twitter, it received an overwhelming response from some cybernauts. Responding to clips of current employees cheeringas they exited one of Kaiser’s facilities, one exclamation, “75,000 strong!!! I will picket to support our UNION!!”
“That’s my person. Beautiful and diverse working class people who want a say in their lives. We are one in solidarity!!,” the second individual emphasizedas a former staff member at length write:
“This is overdue there because the situation was very bad when I was a member a few years ago. They need to walk in unity across the company and now they have. Hopefully they can have a short strike and be successful.”
After destroying it, the third audience objectively shared together, “This happens more often than you all think,” which is very valid. However, patients are neglected, and the staff who decide to stay and care for the sick become tense. Nobody wins.” At the same time, one ask“Anything Kaiser patients in Georgia can do in solidarity?”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
