Kaiser Permanente’s statement on NUHW’s 10-day strike notice

From the beginning of negotiations NUHW has been slow-walking the negotiation process, including on the very issues the union has identified as key to reaching a contract. It is apparent that their strategy all along has been to move to a strike.

They have been threatening to strike since before we began bargaining in July and have operated without a sense of urgency, declining to accept or counter the strong proposals Kaiser Permanente in Southern California has put on the table. Most concerning, the union presented a proposal that could result in a full-time therapist spending nearly 50% of their work week not seeing patients.

Our offer has no takeaways. It not only increases wages, which on average are already 18% above market, but also enhances the comprehensive benefits our mental health professionals enjoy plus provides therapists more non-patient time for planning and preparation.

We will stay at the table until this deal is done. With 2 more bargaining dates on the calendar, we believe we can reach an agreement without a strike — if NUHW will focus on a deal that works for our mental health and addiction medicine professionals and our patients. If a strike happens, it will be because NUHW leadership chose this path — rather than a path to an agreement.

Should an NUHW strike occur, we have comprehensive plans in place to minimize potential disruptions. Kaiser Permanente will continue providing mental health care during a work stoppage. Our goal is to ensure timely care. Patients will have the opportunity to be seen by another professional in our extensive network if their regular provider is engaged in a work stoppage. If changes to appointments are necessary, we will notify individuals in advance.

Our hospitals, emergency departments, and medical offices are open and will remain open and operating as usual.

Background

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents our non-physician mental health and addiction medicine professionals in Southern California, intends to conduct an open-ended work stoppage starting October 21 at various Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Southern California.

Building a better model of health care

Over the past several years, Kaiser Permanente and our outstanding mental health and addiction medicine professionals have been working together to build a better model of mental health care. We are committed to transforming the quality and outcomes of mental health care in California by developing, building, and expanding evidence-based treatment options. Our mental health professionals are part of that work.

Despite a national shortage of therapists, we’ve grown our California licensed mental health clinician workforce by 22% since 2020, and in Southern California, we have grown by 30% in the last 4 years. We have also invested more than $1 billion since 2020 to expand mental health capabilities in California — that includes more therapists, more resources, and shorter wait times. We’ve also strengthened our network of external providers — an important part of our care team in Southern California today — and we know there is more work to do.

A strong offer that builds on above-market wages

As part of our commitment to exceptional care, we strive to be an employer of choice and a great place to work for mental health professionals. Our therapists receive some of the most generous benefits and compensation in California. They deserve it for the excellent work they do every day for our members.

We have put forward a strong offer that not only increases wages, which on average are already 18% above market, but also enhances the comprehensive benefits our mental health professionals enjoy.

Highlights of our proposal include:

• An 18% wage increase over 4 years
• An Enhanced Retiree Medical Plan (adding even more value to the subsidized retirement health plan Kaiser Permanente provides)
• 6 hours a week of time for planning and preparation, with 4 of these hours protected

Before bargaining even began and every week since, NUHW has threatened to strike. Despite progress at the bargaining table, NUHW has been focused on calling for a strike — so much so that they are slow-walking negotiations simply to build their case. Unfortunately, NUHW is putting its own interests ahead of our patients.

Kaiser Permanente has a long, proud history of working successfully with labor. We work with more than 40 unions and employ the largest number of represented health care workers in the country. We understand give and take. We will continue negotiating. We ask the same of NUHW.