MESSAGE TO OUR
EMPLOYEES
October 15, 2026
Negotiations continue on a new agreement
Kaiser Permanente and the California Nurses Association have met 12 times since July.
On October 9, we met with CNA for the 12th bargaining session as we negotiate a new contract. We want to take a moment to share our appreciation for the compassionate care you provide every day and share an update. We remain committed to reaching an agreement that recognizes your contributions and helps keep Kaiser Permanente a best place to give and receive care.
Kaiser Permanente is among the best places in the country for nurses to work and build a career
At Kaiser Permanente, we support you in working at the top of your license and provide valuable benefits, salary, training, and robust development and growth opportunities so you can bring your best self each day for your patients. Most of our Southern California hospitals have achieved Magnet® designation, including several with Distinction, reflecting the excellence our nurses deliver every day.
We’re proud that you’ve chosen Kaiser Permanente to build your career. Our goal is to maintain a workplace where outstanding nurses come, stay, and grow while continuing to provide high-quality, affordable care. CNA-represented nurses remain among the best compensated in the country, including industry-leading health care coverage, retirement savings benefits, and more. As a result, they stay at KP at a retention rate of about 95%, a remarkable feat that speaks to the commitment we have to our nurses.
Update on bargaining
We are unequivocally committed to reaching an agreement that rewards our nurses for the vital contributions you make, with no economic takeaways, while keeping care affordable for our members and patients. During bargaining, KP and CNA each have shared proposals on a variety of topics, and our current proposals reflect this commitment.
Discussion at the bargaining table has been professional, important topics are being addressed, and additional bargaining dates are scheduled. But reaching the right agreement takes time.
For that reason, we are disappointed that CNA held a strike authorization vote. A strike authorization vote is not a vote to hold a strike. It’s a vote by union members to permit union leaders to call for a future work stoppage. A strike authorization does not mean a strike will take place. The union is required by law to provide Kaiser Permanente with a 10-day advance notice of its intent to strike. We have not received such a notice.
This seems more of a CNA leadership pressure tactic from a union playbook than an earnest commitment to reaching an agreement. We believe a strike would be counterproductive — it would not support our goal of reaching an agreement. Our focus remains on negotiating in good faith at the bargaining table.
We ask our nurses to urge union leaders to do the same. That is how we make real progress toward the contract you deserve.
Next steps
We meet again with CNA on October 23 and have confirmed 4 additional dates into early December.
We remain committed to reaching a contract that recognizes your value while balancing our need to remain affordable for our members and patients.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission, and for helping Kaiser Permanente remain a best place to work and to receive compassionate, affordable care.
