Kaiser Permanente said Friday it will keep its Northern California hospitals, medical offices and emergency departments open if some 2,800 health care employees go on strike Monday.
Striking workers, who are represented by United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, are expected to strike indefinitely amid stalled labor negotiations.
The union represents nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, acupuncturists, physician assistants, as well as occupational, speech and physical therapists.
“If the strike occurs, our hospitals, emergency rooms, and medical offices will remain open,” Kaiser said in a statement Friday. “And most appointments, procedures, and care will continue uninterrupted.”
Kaiser said it will contact members in advance if their care is affected. The health care giant added that its pharmacies will remain open with normal hours.
In Northern California, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals represents some 31,000 workers at nearly 20 hospitals and 200 clinics in the two states.
The union is part of the Alliance of Health Care Unions, a federation of 21 local unions representing more than 60,000 Kaiser employees.
The union accuses Kaiser of prioritizing its financial holdings, private investments and executive pay over staffing shortages and fair pay. For their part, Kaiser officials say they’re proposing a significant boost to already generous employee compensation.
The union’s contract with Kaiser expired Sept. 30, and the union carried out a 5-day strike in October.
You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com.