Kaiser Permanente and UFCW Local 7

Kaiser Permanente is proud to be one of the most labor-friendly organizations and the largest employer of union-represented health care workers in the U.S. — nearly 80% of our employees are represented by unions.  

Kaiser Permanente employs more than 1,200 physicians and around 6,000 nurses, care team members, and staff in Colorado. UFCW Local 7 represents about 1,700 employees who largely work within ambulatory and outpatient settings in our medical offices. 

Together with our labor unions, including UFCW Local 7, we have tackled some of the most important issues in health care, including the pandemic. Together, we are paving the way to help shape the future of our industry. While we sometimes disagree on the best way to approach an opportunity or resolve a problem, we work through these challenges to achieve our common goals in the best interest of our members and employees. The next few years will be a transformative time for our industry, and we are optimistic that along with our labor partners, we can define our next chapter together.    

Given our history of partnership with labor, we are disappointed that UFCW Local 7 has chosen to pursue an unnecessary legal case rather than utilizing our well-established structure and processes for addressing concerns and resolving issues. The lawsuit is without merit.  

Kaiser Permanente operates within safe staffing levels, and patient safety is always our top priority. Our staffing levels have never compromised patient safety. 

Unfortunately, the union is trying to cherry-pick years-old data from the pandemic to support its claims. The truth is very clear: During and after the pandemic, the entire nation’s health care system was strained. By 2023, health care organizations across the country were struggling to deliver 3 years’ worth of care that had been delayed by the pandemic. Across America, millions of people had left their careers in health care because of burnout and stress caused by the pandemic. 

 Kaiser Permanente was not immune from those strains and trends, but we took action to support our people and address the nationwide staffing shortage. Since the pandemic, we have had no difficulty recruiting and hiring hundreds of staff into our organization here in Colorado. And after our talented colleagues join us, they enjoy the work and they stay: Our rate of employees choosing to leave last year was just 6.7% in Colorado, less than half the national average in health care of 14%. And among employees represented by UFCW in Colorado, the rate of employees choosing to leave is even lower, just 5% last year.  

The same is true across Kaiser Permanente nationally, where we have led through the country’s staffing challenges better than most health care organizations. Our national employee turnover rate of 5% is significantly lower than the rate across U.S. health care. Despite the acute shortage of health care workers in the U.S., our commitment to being the best place for health care employees to work has enabled Kaiser Permanente to hire thousands of front-line workers and support staff since 2021. Talented people want to work at Kaiser Permanente, which is why about 96% of candidates for jobs here accept our employment offers, which is significantly above the industry average. 

We’re a recognized leader in providing market-competitive wages and outstanding benefits in every market we’re in. We offer employees opportunities to learn new skills and grow their careers, and we’re committed to providing a safe and equitable work environment. We’re also proud to be a welcoming and inclusive community where our employees represent the wonderful diversity of the members and communities we are so proud to serve.  

We remain committed to working together to find common ground while ensuring Kaiser Permanente continues to provide high-quality, affordable health care and remains a best place to work.