News Summary
Health care workers at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego are gearing up for a potential five-day strike starting Tuesday, affecting three local hospitals. This walkout is part of a broader statewide action involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California. The union is advocating for safe staffing levels, fair pay, and improved benefits amidst stalled contract negotiations. Kaiser has stated that they will keep their facilities open, but may need to reschedule non-urgent appointments and surgeries due to the strike. This strike could mark one of the largest in the union’s history.
San Diego health care workers at Kaiser Permanente are set to begin a possible five-day strike on Tuesday, impacting three hospitals across San Diego County. This action is part of a larger statewide walkout that extends to California and Hawaii, involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP).
The targeted facilities include Zion Medical Center in Grantville, San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa, and San Marcos Medical Center. Picketing is scheduled at Zion on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; at San Diego Medical Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; and at San Marcos daily from Tuesday through Saturday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The strike is expected to conclude on Sunday at 7 a.m.
The union’s decision to strike stems from concerns about patient care and the need for a fair contract that addresses issues such as safe staffing levels, equitable pay, and improved benefits. Despite the strike notice, Kaiser Permanente has stated that its hospitals and medical offices will remain open, though some non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries may be rescheduled. Kaiser has expressed its commitment to patient care and has urged patients not to cancel or reschedule appointments until they are informed about any necessary changes due to the strike.
Negotiations between Kaiser and the Alliance of Health Care Unions for a new national agreement have been ongoing since May. The union’s current strike plan marks a significant development in the negotiations, which have reportedly stalled. Union organizers have pointed to stagnant wages and unsafe staffing levels as primary reasons for the strike. They argue that the previous contract failed to keep pace with inflation.
Kaiser has proposed a total wage increase of 21.5% over four years, which differs from the union’s demand for a 25% raise during the same timeframe. Kaiser claims that its employee compensation is, on average, 16% above market rates, with the average registered nursing salary reported at $71.14 per hour, compared to Sharp HealthCare’s $65.54. A nurse earning $77.34 per hour at Kaiser would see their wage rise to $101.69 by the end of the proposed contract.
Concerns regarding staffing levels have been raised by the union, with over 1,000 reports implicating patient safety. In contrast, Kaiser maintains that it continues to hire new workers and has high ratings for the quality of its health plans. Concurrently, Sharp HealthCare nurses are also facing contract expiration issues and will engage in informational picketing.
This impending strike is anticipated to be one of the largest in UNAC/UHCP’s history. The union emphasizes its mission to protect patient care while advocating for better working conditions and appropriate pay for its members. The situation remains fluid as both parties aim to reach a resolution to avoid disruption in health care services.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Diego Healthcare Workers Organize Informational Picket
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: Labor Strike
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: Kaiser Permanente strike
- San Francisco Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nursing
- Fox 5 San Diego – Authorization of Strike
- Google News: Kaiser healthcare union news
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
