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
Everywhere You Go in Downtown DC: “Stop Sending Weapons To Israel”
Take Action Now 8 different bus stops in downtown Washington, D.C now feature 7 foot signs that say “Stop sending weapons to Israel”…
Macklemore Dares Others To Stand Up For Palestine
Take Action Now With “Hind’s Hall,” the rapper is telling artists and other culture workers, “The students are risking it all. Where are you?” By…
Then and Now: Anti-War Activism In 1968 And 2024
Take Action Now The real foundation was that people escaped from cynicism into the elation, turmoil, rage, and passion of believing there is a…
“You Have Been Warned”: Republican Senators Threaten ICC Prosecutor Over Possible Israel Arrest Warrants
Take Action Now Read the full letter, obtained by Zeteo, which threatens sanctions in defense of Netanyahu. By Team Zeteo and Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo…