Thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers launch strike - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Suhauna Hussain

January 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California and Hawaii have launched a strike involving up to 31,000 professionals, marking the second major work stoppage in recent months. The union representing these workers, UNAC/UHCP, claims the strike was necessary after contract negotiations stalled, with Kaiser allegedly undermining discussions and intimidating employees. The strike is open-ended, following a five-day walkout in October. The union accuses Kaiser of unlawfully halting negotiations mid-December, leaving critical issues unresolved, such as wage increases and staffing shortages. Workers are seeking a 25% salary hike over four years to address underwhelming raises from previous contracts and combat employee burnout. Kaiser, however, has dismissed the strike as "unnecessary," filing a lawsuit against the union for allegedly coercing concessions through threats of releasing negative reports about the company. Kaiser argues that the national bargaining process is gridlocked and has shifted negotiations to local levels, while the union asserts this move undermines collective efforts to secure fair contracts. The Alliance of Health Care Unions, representing 62,000 Kaiser workers across 23 local unions, remains committed to resolving disputes through bargaining, calling Kaiser's legal challenge without merit. This labor dispute highlights broader challenges in the healthcare industry, including staffing shortages and rising costs for both workers and employers. With negotiations at an impasse, the strike underscores the ongoing tension between labor rights and corporate strategies to control expenses. The outcome of this conflict could set a precedent for future negotiations in the healthcare sector, impacting not only Kaiser Permanente but also the broader industry landscape.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 1/26/2026