UPDATE: A historic five-day strike involving over 46,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers has just concluded, with union officials declaring “new momentum” in negotiations. The strike, which began on October 14, 2025, saw employees across more than 500 facilities on the West Coast take to the picket lines to protest against what the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) described as “unsafe staffing, stagnant wages, and deteriorating patient care conditions.”
The majority of the striking workers, over 31,000, were based in California, while others participated from Hawaii and Oregon. The strikers included a wide range of healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and rehab therapists, all demanding immediate action from Kaiser Permanente.
Despite Kaiser’s claims that they had made a “strong, comprehensive offer,” the union members rejected it, leading to a dramatic walkout. As the strike ended, the union emphasized the importance of their cause. “Caregivers are united, determined, and backed by a growing movement for safe staffing and fair contracts,” UNAC/UHCP stated.
A significant factor influencing the union’s renewed strength during the strike was the release of new staffing standards by the Joint Commission. These standards could reshape future contract negotiations, as union president and registered nurse Charmaine S. Morales pointed out, stating, “Unsafe staffing is unsafe care.”
Union representatives are set to return to the bargaining table with Kaiser officials on October 22-23, focusing on economic issues and the critical need for improved staffing conditions. “This strike may be over, but the fight for patient safety is not,” the union emphasized, signaling that their efforts to secure a fair contract for healthcare workers will continue.
In response, Kaiser Permanente welcomed back the striking employees, highlighting their commitment to “the continued delivery of high-quality care.” They expressed gratitude to the workers who helped maintain operations during the strike and reiterated their focus on upcoming negotiations centered on wages.
Kaiser’s statement noted their proposal includes a 21.5% total base wage increase over four years, alongside enhanced medical plans and retiree benefits. The healthcare giant stressed the importance of keeping care affordable while attracting and retaining top talent amid rising healthcare costs.
As the dust settles from this significant labor action, the health and safety of both caregivers and patients remain at the forefront of negotiations. The outcome of the upcoming talks could have lasting implications for the future of healthcare in the region.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the union and Kaiser Permanente aim to find common ground in the coming days.
