75,000 disgruntled industry workers could walk off their jobs this weekend
By Carson Choate, The Western Journal
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente health-care workers are preparing to go on strike after the company failed to come to an agreement with a coalition of unions representing the workers.
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which consists of eight unions, said in a statement Sept. 22 that it was in discussions with the company over “unfair labor practices.”
The coalition’s contract with Kaiser expired Saturday at 11:59 pm Pacific Time, CNN Business reported. The unions had sought to improve workers’ compensation and pension plans, and address various other issues in the new contract.
However, while the coalition said it had “good discussions with Kaiser,” the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement.
Since the two failed to come to an agreement by Saturday, the coalition said that a three-day strike would begin Wednesday.
“More than 75,000 Kaiser healthcare workers will be united in this work action across California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington DC,” the union coalition said, noting that this would be the largest health-care worker strike in U.S. history.
“This three-day strike will be the initial demonstration of our strength to Kaiser that we will not stand for their unfair labor practices. If Kaiser continues to commit unfair labor practices, we are prepared to engage in another longer, stronger strike in November,” the statement read.