SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The Kaiser Permanente strike is set to begin Tuesday morning involving union workers from California, Hawaii, Oregon, and southeast Washington. In Northern California, about 2,800 workers with walk off their jobs.
“No one wanted to strike, but the way we think about it is it’s going to help patient safety in the future,” said Arezou Mansourian.
PREVIOUS STORY: Bay Area Kaiser workers could go on strike Tuesday, joining 31,000 across California and Hawaii
Mansourian is a spokesperson for one of the striking unions, representing nurses and other health professionals. She says while there are multiple reasons for the strike, low pay is one of the main ones.
“The people who are actually taking care of patients are not being able to take care of their own families. That’s the frustrating part,” Mansourian said.
The strike is one of many that has happened among healthcare workers in recent years.
Robert Overtz is a professor at San Jose State University who specializes in labor relations.
He believes the healthcare system has several structural flaws that makes strikes more likely.
“When you put all these factors together – for profit healthcare industry, poor services, low pay and very large industry, you have all the different factors for why workers are unionizing and why they’re taking action,” Overtz said.
Kaiser Permanente is calling the strike unnecessary and disruptive. But hospitals and medical offices will remain open, and Kaiser says plans are in place to ensure continued care.
In a statement sent to ABC7 News, the organization also pushed back against the claim that it offers low pay:
“Our strong offer boosts above-market pay, benefits and career growth, and raises wages by 21.5% over four years. It also improves medical plans, retiree benefits, and invests in educational trust funds supporting employees’ goals.”
Mansourian says despite the recent tensions, she hopes a solution will soon be found.
But she tells ABC7 News if that isn’t possible, she and her colleagues would be open to striking again.
“The next one would one definitely be longer or possibly indefinite. So we’re hoping it doesn’t get there,” Mansourian said.
The strike is set to end at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
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