Fil-Am leads strike by thousands of nurses in California and Hawaii

LOS ANGELES – Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers across California and Hawaii launched an open-ended strike Monday alleging unfair labor practices amid prolonged contract talks.

The strike is organized by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), which is led by Filipina and Mexican American registered nurse Charmaine S. Morales.

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Charmaine Morales | Photo from UNAC/UHCP

“We’re not going on strike to make noise,” said Morales, UNAC/UHCP president. “We’re striking because Kaiser has committed serious unfair labor practices and because Kaiser refuses to bargain in good faith over staffing that protects patients, workload standards that stop moral injury and the respect and dignity that Kaiser caregivers have been denied for far too long.

31,000 union members join strike

Roughly 31,000 members of the UNAC/UHCP vowed to stay on strike until a fair contract agreement is reached. UNAC/UHCP members include registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty health care professionals.

The strike began at 7 a.m. Monday.

“Striking is the lawful power of working people, and we are prepared to use it on behalf of our profession and patients,” Morales said.

Photo from UNAC/UHCP/Facebook

Morales is the first woman of color to serve as UNAC/UHCP president. “Charmaine brings a historic and deeply personal perspective to her role. Nearly a quarter of nurses in California are Filipino or of Filipino heritage, and she has championed representation and equity throughout her career,” according to her bio on the UNAC/UHCP website.

Unfair labor practices

Workers on the picket lines will focus on the what they say is a growing crisis caused by Kaiser’s failure to invest in safe staffing levels, timely access to quality care and fair wages for frontline caregivers.

The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Kaiser with the National Labor Relations Board alleging the company walked away from the bargaining table in December and has attempted to bypass the agreed-upon national bargaining process. The union had been bargaining with Kaiser since last May.

Kaiser Permanente statement

A statement released by Kaiser Permanente said it has plans to ensure members and patients receive safe, high-quality care.

“Our focus remains on reaching agreements that recognize the vital contributions of our employees while ensuring excellent, affordable care. We have proposed 21.5% wage increases — our strongest national bargaining offer ever — and we are prepared to close agreements at local tables now. Employees deserve their raises and patients deserve our full attention, not prolonged disputes.”

Kaiser has also posted strike guidance for its members on its websites.

“If a strike does happen, our hospitals and medical offices will stay open.” it states. “Some pharmacies would close. We have robust plans in place to ensure continued care.

“We may need to reschedule some nonurgent appointments and elective surgeries. If you have an appointment scheduled on a possible strike date, please don’t cancel or reschedule. We’ll contact you if we have to reschedule your appointment.”

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Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, described Kaiser’s latest contract offer as “one of the strongest nursing contract offers in California this year” once step increases and local adjustments are factored in. (With CNS report)

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