Workers say that hospital executives are refusing to fix dire understaffing issues.
by Sharon Zhang, Truthout
Over 75,000 health care workers for Kaiser Permanente hospitals across the country began striking on Wednesday morning, launching what the union says is the largest health care strike in U.S. history after workers’ contract expired on Saturday with no new agreement in place.
The striking workers are largely concentrated in California, though thousands of workers have also walked out in Oregon, Washington and Colorado for a planned three-day strike. Meanwhile, roughly 400 workers in Washington, D.C. and Virginia are walking out for one day. Striking employees include vocational nurses, emergency department, X-ray and radiology technicians, sonographers, pharmacists, and more.
Like workers in many other recent health care strikes, Kaiser workers are frustrated with issues of understaffing, saying that Kaiser management seems to neglect patient care in favor of profits. Employees have reported being overworked and unable to properly address all of their patients’ concerns due to high patient loads and strict time constraints.
“Kaiser executives are refusing to listen to us and are bargaining in bad faith over the solutions we need to end the Kaiser short-staffing crisis,” Jessica Cruz, a licensed vocational nurse for Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center, said in a statement.
Recent Posts
From Genocide Joe To Omnicide Joe
Take Action NowFor his last act in office, President Biden appears to be focused on driving international conflict as much as possible.……
Will Trump Unintentionally Start A War?
Take Action NowHis unpredictable actions in his first term suggest dangerous times ahead.By Ahmed Nabil, Foreign Policy In…
Rahm Emanuel Is A Terrible Choice For DNC Chair
Take Action NowOn Thursday, the House passed a bill that would allow the president to wipe out any nonprofit organizations he opposes with…
15 Democrats Voted To Give Trump Nonprofit-Killing Powers
Take Action NowOn Thursday, the House passed a bill that would allow the president to wipe out any nonprofit organizations he opposes with…