Major California Kaiser Permanente strike ending after progress in talks - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Suhauna Hussain

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A month-long strike involving over 31,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California has come to an end after significant progress in negotiations. The United Nurses Assns. of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) announced that workers would return to their jobs on Tuesday following "significant movement" at the bargaining table. The strike, which began on January 26 and involved registered nurses, pharmacists, midwives, and other specialists, was called due to stalled contract negotiations. The union alleged Kaiser Permanente had unlawfully undermined talks and intimidated workers. Kaiser Permanente halted negotiations both with a national coalition of unions and local chapters, affecting discussions on wages and regional contract terms. Despite the challenges, UNAC/UHCP reported "real progress" in recent negotiations, leading to conceptual agreements on 15 local contracts covering thousands of workers. The union emphasized that while not all issues were resolved, returning to work was a crucial step toward securing a final agreement and addressing concerns like employee burnout and patient safety. This development highlights the complexities of labor disputes within large healthcare systems and underscores the impact of worker strikes on both organizations and their communities. The resolution marks a significant milestone in efforts to improve working conditions and ensure fair treatment for healthcare professionals, issues that resonate with anyone concerned about labor rights and healthcare quality.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/23/2026