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21,000 strike against Kaiser Permanente health care across California, including 4,000 in Southern California
Kaiser Permanente Microclinic, Garfield Center 2
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21,000 strike against Kaiser Permanente health care across California, including 4,000 in Southern California
21,000 strike against Kaiser Permanente health care across California, including 4,000 in Southern California
Workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California will strike for 24 hours beginning Tuesday at 6 a.m. This is not their first walkout, but union leaders say it’ll be the biggest.
Kaiser employees are hitting the picket lines to protest what they say are unfair cuts to worker benefits and chronic understaffing that compromises patient care. About a fifth of those protestors will march in Southern California at Kaiser Sunset, Downey Fontana and Woodland Hills.
The walkouts mark the fourth time Kaiser workers have walked out, since they began negotiating a new contract.
Union leaders say they’re protesting cuts in their health care coverage and retirement benefits during a period of record profits for Kaiser — $5.6 billion over the last three years. The union also points out that Kaiser's CEO, George Halvorson, took home almost $9 million in compensation in 2010, with other top managers making what the union calls "lavish" salaries, bonuses and perks.
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"What it all boils down to is Kaiser top executives putting profits before patient care," said Dr. Spencer Gross, a psychologist at Kaiser Pleasanton, in a press release.
Kaiser says all of their facilities will remain open during the work stoppage. They are calling the strike “counterproductive” and say they will continue to bargain in good faith with the union.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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