One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
‘No progress’ at bargaining table for striking Kaiser mental health workers; patient hotline launched
Kaiser mental health workers marched a picket line in front of the Los Angeles Medical Center on Sunset Blvd.
(
Robert Garrova / LAist
)
Topline:
Some 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers are on Day 4 of a strike in support of higher wages and other workplace demands.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers — which represents the workers in Southern California — said no progress has been made at the bargaining table.
The demands: The Kaiser employees — including therapists and social workers — say they’re fighting for better patient care. They said they’re not given enough time in the day to manage their caseload, which some therapists have said is 10 to 18 patients a day. They also want the HMO to restore pensions and agree to better pay.
Regulators watching: The California Department of Managed Health Care says it is monitoring access to behavioral health care at Kaiser. Regulators say they’ve set up a hotline for patients to call if they run into problems getting care. The hotline can be reached at (888) 466-2219
Kaiser response: In an emailed statement, Kaiser claimed the union was “putting pickets before patients.” The HMO is required by law to ensure that services continue during the work stoppage. It said all Kaiser members will continue to have timely access to individual therapy appointments throughout the strike.
Go deeper: Kaiser mental health workers could strike tomorrow. What does that mean for patients?
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
