BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A union representing 30,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other frontline professionals at Kaiser Permanente has authorized a strike following an overwhelming majority vote. The decision, made by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), comes after six months of bargaining and what workers describe as “disrespect” from Kaiser management.
“Kaiser is betting we won’t unite and push for the change that patients need,” said UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales, RN. “This overwhelming vote proves them wrong. When we stand together, Kaiser will have no choice but to recognize the need to value our labor and ensure safe staffing and care.”
The union has criticized Kaiser for its stagnant wage proposals, contrasting them with the organization’s significant financial reserves. Kaiser increased its cash on hand from $40 billion to $60 billion during the COVID era, a period marked by record inflation and increased demands on healthcare workers…