Kaiser Healthcare Workers Conclude Strike, No Agreement Reached

More than 31,000 union nurses and healthcare professionals from various Kaiser Permanente facilities concluded a five-day strike on October 19, 2025, without reaching a labor agreement. The walkout, which began on October 14, was primarily driven by demands for higher wages and improved working conditions.

Members of the United Nurses Associations of California (UNAC) and the Union of Health Care Professionals picketed at multiple locations, including the Downey Medical Center. Their protest highlighted the urgency for fair contracts as negotiations between union representatives and Kaiser officials remain unresolved.

Strike Details and Negotiation Status

The strike, the largest in Kaiser’s history, unfolded across California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, with thousands participating daily. Kaiser’s labor contracts had expired on September 30 and October 1, prompting local unions to issue ten-day strike notices. While no negotiations occurred during the strike, Kaiser representatives and union leaders confirmed that discussions are scheduled to resume on October 22-23.

Terry Kanakri, a spokesperson for Kaiser Permanente, emphasized that the focus for upcoming negotiations would be on economic issues, despite public concerns about staffing. “While the alliance has publicly emphasized staffing and other concerns, wages are the reason for the strike and the primary issue in negotiations,” Kanakri stated.

In the event that progress is not made in the upcoming talks, further negotiations are planned for October 28-29, according to a union official representing 8,600 vocational nurses and medical assistants in Fontana.

Impact on Services and Future Actions

During the strike, Kaiser took measures to maintain operations by employing thousands of temporary workers to fill critical patient care roles. These replacements were reportedly compensated between $78 and $130 per hour, depending on their job responsibilities. Additionally, the strike affected various services, including the temporary closure of some Kaiser pharmacies due to the participation of 4,000 workers from the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.

As the situation develops, other unions, such as Local 7600 of the United Steelworkers Union, have also taken steps to authorize a strike. This union represents licensed vocational nurses, medical assistants, and other frontline healthcare workers, signaling potential for further disruptions.

Brent Beltran, a spokesperson for UFCW Local 135, indicated that his union of 350 workers in San Diego County voted to authorize a strike against Kaiser as well, which could lead to a notice of action after their contract expires on October 31.

Kaiser and UNAC are negotiating a new five-year contract following the expiration of the previous agreement. The union initially sought a 38% pay increase over four years but has since adjusted its demand to a 25% raise. Kaiser has countered with an offer of 21.5%.

As of June 30, 2025, Kaiser Permanente operates extensively in the Western United States, including Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The organization manages 608 medical offices and 40 hospitals nationwide. In Southern California, where the regional headquarters is located in Pasadena, Kaiser oversees 16 hospitals and employs nearly 91,200 staff members, serving approximately 4.9 million members.

The outcome of the resumed negotiations will be critical for the future of healthcare services provided by Kaiser Permanente and the livelihood of its workforce.