Healthcare employees at Kaiser Permanente have concluded their three-day strike, with plans to return to work early on Saturday morning despite the absence of a new contract.
Negotiations are on hold until Thursday, October 12th, and Friday, October 13th, with union officials cautioning that another strike could be on the horizon. Several critical issues, including wage increases, have yet to be resolved between the two parties.
Union representatives highlighted the outsourcing of crucial healthcare responsibilities as a significant point of contention in recent negotiations. They expressed concerns that Kaiser executives have been unwilling to impose limitations on subcontracting and outsourcing, practices that can affect the job security of experienced healthcare workers and disrupt the continuity of patient care.
The impact of the three-day strike, which involved various roles such as X-ray technicians, receptionists, medical assistants, and sanitation workers, has been immediately felt. To maintain the operation of its hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care centers, Kaiser enlisted the support of thousands of external workers. However, a Kaiser spokeswoman acknowledged that the organization had to reschedule certain appointments and procedures, including non-urgent surgeries.
