Union Calls For Work Stoppage Against Kaiser Permanente

[LPH]

National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) has called for a work stoppage on January 31, 2012.

NUHW’s 4,000 members at Kaiser will be joined by 17,000 Registered Nurses with the California Nurses Association and 650 members of the Stationary Engineers Local 39 who will be striking in sympathy with NUHW in the largest walkout in the HMO’s history.

List of issues include:

Despite record profits over the last three years of more than $5.6 billion, Kaiser management is insisting on major reductions to workers’ healthcare coverage and retirement benefits. NUHW members are committed to holding the line against these cuts, which Kaiser intends to impose upon tens of thousands more employees represented by other unions as their contracts come up for renewal over the next several years.

 

[LPH]

Kaiser Permanente replies:

Your well-being is our top priority

Kaiser Permanente facilities in Southern California are open during the January 31 work stoppage

The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), which represents only about 2,500 of our 55,000 employees in Southern California, has informed us that it will conduct a limited, one-day work stoppage and picketing activities on Tuesday, January 31.

Our first priority is your safety and care. We’ve taken steps to ensure you will continue to receive high-quality care and service from a team of experienced doctors and other clinicians. Kaiser Permanente medical centers and medical offices will remain open during the work stoppage, including our hospitals, Emergency Departments, Urgent Care Departments, primary and specialty care departments, pharmacies, and laboratories.

While some appointments and elective procedures may have to be rescheduled, we don’t anticipate that these labor actions will have a significant impact on our ability to deliver care and service to you.

The January 31 work-stoppage and picketing activities by NUHW will primarily impact our Los Angeles Medical Center hospital. The American Federation of Nurses (who work exclusively at that location) and employees of the Psych-Social Workers Chapter and Health Care Professionals Unit will be participating in both of these labor activities.

Additionally, the Psych-Social Workers and Health Care Professionals, who work elsewhere throughout Southern California, will conduct a work stoppage, but picket exclusively at our Downey, Fontana, San Diego, and Woodland Hills locations.

Psych-social workers include social workers, counselors, therapists, and case managers. Health care professionals include dietitians, audiologists, speech therapists, and health educators.

We’re in contract negotiations with NUHW and we continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement soon. While we recognize NUHW’s legal right to conduct a work stoppage, we believe the best place to resolve differences and come to an agreement is back at the bargaining table.

We sincerely thank you for your understanding as these negotiations continue.

For more information, visit kp.org.

 

[Robert Heiny]

This may represent Kaiser's position, but what's the union's reason for stopping work?

 

[LPH]

Despite record profits over the last three years of more than $5.6 billion, Kaiser management is insisting on major reductions to workers’ healthcare coverage and retirement benefits. NUHW members are committed to holding the line against these cuts, which Kaiser intends to impose upon tens of thousands more employees represented by other unions as their contracts come up for renewal over the next several years.

 

[Robert Heiny]

Sounds reasonable. Healthcare costs are rising. That's an expense, in part due to rising employee pay and benefits. Why shouldn't an employer be able to reduce their costs any legal way they see to do so?