Almost 75,000 workers of Kaiser Permanente took to picket lines in multiple states in the United States on October 4, launching a massive strike that could cause delays at its hospitals and clinics, which serve nearly 13 million Americans.
Kaiser Permanente operates 39 hospitals and more than 700 medical offices in the US with over 3 lakh personnel, including more than 87,000 physicians and nurses.
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing about 85,000 of the healthcare system’s employees nationally, approved a strike for three days in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Out of which 75,000 people were expected to participate.
What's the issue?
Kaiser workers unions demand long-term investments to address a staffing shortage in addition to better pay and benefits.
Caroline Lucas, Executive Director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, told CNBC that the staffing crisis has led to unsafe working conditions and deteriorating care for patients.
“We continue to have front-line healthcare workers who are burnt out and stretched to the max and leaving the industry,” Lucas said.
Also Read: United Autoworkers strikes spread to Chicago and Lansing as 7,000 more workers join the picket line
Who are participating?
According to reports, the striking workers include vocational nurses, emergency department technicians, radiology technicians, X-ray technicians, respiratory therapists, medical assistants and pharmacists among others.
Company's stand
According to a statement from Kaiser, both the management and coalition union representatives are still at the bargaining table. "There has been a lot of progress, with agreements reached on several specific proposals," it added.
Hospitals and emergency departments will continue to function although non-essential services such as routine check-ups may have to be rescheduled.
Raining labour strikes
The health workers' strike is among many other strikes the US has seen this year. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) ended its strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) last week after 150 days, securing better pay and regulations for the use of artificial intelligence in certain projects.
Also Read: Writers Guild and Hollywood studios reach tentative agreement to end strike
On September 15, the United Auto Workers launched a strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis after failing to reach a contract agreement with the automakers.
With agency inputs
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