PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Nurses and health professionals at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Oregon and Southwest Washington are going on strike Tuesday.
Members with the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) will strike for five days — the same time as thousands of other Kaiser healthcare workers throughout California, Oregon, and Hawaii.
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OFNHP represents nearly 4,000 nurses, laboratory professionals and other employees such as cancer counselors, physical therapists and mental health therapists whose contact ended Sept. 30.
According to the union, bargaining for a new contract has lasted months with little progress.
“No one who dedicates their life to caring for patients ever wants to walk off the job, but Kaiser has left us no choice,” OFNHP President Sarina Roher said. “For months we’ve been at the table, ready to bargain in good faith. What we’ve asked for are real solutions to the staffing crisis, fair wages that let workers stay in our communities and a voice in how care is delivered. Kaiser’s response has been to delay and disregard.”
The OFNHP strike will begin at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and last through Sunday, Oct. 19. It comes as 52,000 other Kaiser workers all strike through the Alliance of Health Care Unions, which represents 23 local unions in the country.
Kaiser strike locations in Oregon and Southwest Washington:
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Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, Ore.
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Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, Ore.
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Interstate Medical Office – Central in Portland, Ore.
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Cascade Park Medical Office in Vancouver, Wash.
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Kaiser Longview-Kelso Medical Center in Longview, Wash.
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Kaiser North Lancaster in Salem, Ore.
In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said they have been working with the Alliance to resolve negotiations over wages.
“We’ve recognized our employees’ hard work and responded with a strong proposal that provides immediate benefits. Alliance-represented employees currently earn, on average, 16% more than peers elsewhere. Our latest offer increases their already above-market wages by an additional 21.5% over the four-year contract. The offer also enhances employees’ high-value medical plans and retiree benefits—benefits that have long made Kaiser Permanente an employer of choice. We value every member of our team and our history of collaboration with labor unions.
“The Alliance began bargaining seeking a 38% wage increase over four years and now demands 25%—a figure out of step with today’s economic realities and rising health care costs. This would dramatically increase the current $6.3 billion annual payroll and lead to higher rates for members and customers, with serious market implications. Our 21.5% offer will increase payroll for this group by nearly $2 billion in total by 2029. To support this level of increase, we’re reducing internal costs and optimizing operations. Anything beyond 21.5% will require us to further increase rates for our members and customers, at a time when health care costs are increasingly unaffordable and many are having to make the difficult choice to go without coverage. We have a responsibility to do the right thing for our employees and our members and customers.“
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But OFNHP said it is about more than just wages.
“It’s about respect, safety and the future of care in the Northwest,” Roher said. “Kaiser must meet the moment. Our healthcare professionals are standing up because patients deserve better. Kaiser needs to step up and be the partner our communities were promised, not a corporation that puts margins before the mission.”
Kaiser said it plans to keep striking locations open by onboarding nurses, clinicians, and other staff during the strike. They have also reassigned a thousand employees from other locations.
Patients who need to reschedule certain appointments, elective surgeries, and procedures will be contacted by their providers. For these updates, visit kp.org.
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