Kaiser Permanente Workers Strike

​More than 75,000 workers at health care organization Kaiser Permanente went on strike on Oct. 4 in five states and Washington, D.C., affecting millions of customers. The strike, which is expected to last three days and is described by the unions as the largest work stoppage of health care workers in U.S. history, is in response to a staffing shortage and worker dissatisfaction with pay and benefits. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.

Millions of Customers Affected

Kaiser has approximately 12.7 million customers and operates 39 hospitals and 622 medical offices in eight states and Washington, D.C. The company has said its hospitals and emergency departments will remain open throughout the strike, staffed by physicians and other employees. It is onboarding additional professionals who will serve in critical care roles during the strike.

Kaiser has warned patients that nonemergency and elective services may be rescheduled. The organization is expanding its network of pharmacy locations to include community pharmacies to ensure patients can access medication in the event that outpatient pharmacies temporarily close. Inpatient pharmacies at Kaiser hospitals will stay open.

(The Washington Post and NPR)

Workers Are Burned Out

"We continue to have front-line health care workers who are burnt out and stretched to the max and leaving the industry," said Caroline Lucas, executive director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. "We have folks getting injured on the job because they're trying to do too much and see too many people and work too quickly. It's not a sustainable situation."
(CNBC)

Company Statement

"Every health provider in the nation has been facing staffing shortages and fighting burnout," the company said in a statement. "During the Great Resignation in 2021-2022, more than 5 million people left their health care jobs across the country. Up to two-thirds of health care staff are saying they are burnt out and more than one in five are quitting. Kaiser Permanente is not immune from these challenges." A third of strikes of 1,000 or more workers from the start of 2022 through August of this year were in the health care industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(CNN and SHRM Online)

Longer Strike Possible

While this strike is temporary, a longer strike may come in November if a deal between a coalition of eight unions representing the striking workers and Kaiser is not reached after this strike.

(CNN)

Who the Strike Includes

The union members include support staff and other workers, such as X-ray and lab technicians, sanitation workers who disinfect rooms between patients, and pharmacy employees who help dispense medications. Doctors and many nurses are not part of the labor dispute. The union coalition represents approximately 40 percent of Kaiser health care staff.

(The New York Times and The Columbian)