Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health Workers Hold Five-Day Strike In Early December Over California Staffing Ratios

From December 10 to 14, 2018, the approximately 4,000 Kaiser Permanente behavioral health professionals represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) held a strike at Kaiser facilities across California to protest staffing ratios. They say Kaiser’s ratio of one professional to 3,000 Kaiser members is inadequate to ensure that members making new and follow-up appointments, receive appointments within state timeliness standards. Kaiser Permanente is in contract negotiations with the NUHW for behavioral health professionals employed by Kaiser Permanente’s Northern and Southern California affiliates. The previous contract expired in September 2018.

The California Department . . .