LOS ANGELES — Kaiser Permanente officials reiterated Saturday that they’ve made the “strongest proposal” in the company’s history to the union representing lab workers in six Southern California counties, one day after the union said members had voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.
“Our Alliance employees already earn, on average, about 16% more than similar roles at other health care organizations, and in some markets they earn 24% more,” a Kaiser statement said. “Our current proposal builds on that, keeping Kaiser Permanente among the best-paying employers in health care. It includes the strongest compensation package in our national bargaining history: a 21.5% wage increase over the life of the contract, with 16% within the first 2 years. When step increases and local adjustments are factored in, the total average increase is approximately 30% — one of the strongest nursing contract offers in California this year.
“This proposal represents a significant investment — nearly $2 billion in additional payroll costs — while maintaining affordability for our members and customers,” the company’s statement continued…