SEIU Local 73 Stands with Striking Kaiser Healthcare Workers

On October 4, nearly 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers began a three-day unfair labor practice strike, the largest healthcare strike in U.S. history. These brave healthcare workers – through the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (CKPU) – are sounding the alarm about chronic understaffing and low wages. Local 73 stands in solidarity with the strike and we urge Kaiser executives to bargain fairly with the CKPU for a new National Agreement.

Healthcare workers have made countless sacrifices to ensure patients receive quality care. They risked their lives during an unprecedented pandemic and continue to face a staffing crisis that impacts their ability to care for their patients. It is unfathomable that a company that made $3 billion in profits between January and June alone is refusing to raise wages to address understaffing. It’s time for Kaiser to put patient care over profits and respect, protect, and pay their workers a living wage. Kaiser executives must return to the table and bargain in good faith.

“From Chicago to California, healthcare workers are fed up with management putting greed over their patients. Kaiser workers are rising up to provide quality care by raising staffing levels and worker pay. Local 73 members stand in solidarity with you. Stand tall and continue the fight; one day longer makes us one day stronger,” said President Dian Palmer.