Kaiser mental health workers go on strike in Southern California over staffing, workloads
More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers and other mental health workers in Southern California have begun an open-ended strike over increased workloads and staffing shortages
LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers and other mental health workers in Southern California began an open-ended strike Monday over increased workloads and staffing shortages that their union said have created a “substandard” system of care.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees, is negotiating a new contract with the Oakland-based health giant. It said the strikers demand Kaiser hire more people to ease the burden put on the current staff.
Kaiser said in a statement Monday that the union has been “slow-walking” negotiations, despite the strong proposals the health care company has put on the table. Meanwhile, the union’s proposals “have been overreaching and unreasonable,” the statement said.
Picket lines went up outside Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
