Over 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers, and other mental health workers in Southern California initiated an open-ended strike on Monday. The strike was prompted by concerns over increased workloads and staffing shortages, which the National Union of Healthcare Workers, representing the employees, described as leading to a 'substandard' system of care.
The union is currently in negotiations with Kaiser Permanente, demanding the hiring of more staff to alleviate the burden on the current workforce. Kaiser, on the other hand, stated that the union has been prolonging negotiations, while their proposals have been deemed 'overreaching and unreasonable.'
Picket lines were set up outside Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. Workers expressed their frustrations, citing burnout, high workloads, and inadequate time for patient care and documentation.
According to the workers, Kaiser's emphasis on the quantity of patients seen rather than the quality of care provided has exacerbated the situation. The strike was organized after the workers rejected Kaiser's terms on Friday.
Kaiser labeled the strike as 'entirely unnecessary,' claiming that the union is demanding more money for therapists to spend less time with patients. The union's proposal includes therapists spending nearly half of their time not seeing patients, which Kaiser argues would reduce access to mental health care appointments.
This strike marks the second time Kaiser therapists have walked out in two years. A previous 10-week strike in Northern California resulted in Kaiser agreeing to provide more time for patient care duties, increase staffing, and expand services at mental health clinics.
State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, who supported the strike, highlighted the workers' demand for similar improvements in working conditions as those secured by Northern California workers in the past.
Kaiser assured patients that appointments affected by the strike would be rescheduled with other qualified therapists in their network. The strike is ongoing, with both sides standing firm on their positions.
