Healthcare workers in California will present employee-signed petitions to Kaiser Permanente executives Oct. 18 in Pasadena, Calif., the Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West announced.
The union — which represents more than 55,000 workers at California facilities owned by Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente — said the petition calls on Kaiser Permanente executives to not outsource jobs and negotiate with employees.
"The company claims it's all about helping the community thrive [but is] putting profits ahead of what's good for patients and our communities," said Sheri Salazar, an appointment clerk at Kaiser Woodland Hills (Calif.).
Healthcare workers also plan to protest against outsourcing jobs Oct. 18 at Kaiser corporate offices in Oakland.
The union claims Kaiser has plans to outsource various positions, including pharmacy warehouse workers and couriers in in Oakland and Livermore, Calif., pharmacy warehouse workers in Downey, Calif., and couriers in Southern California.
John Nelson, Kaiser Permanente’s vice president of communications, called the union’s claims “unfortunate.”
"SEIU-UHW's leaders are mischaracterizing Kaiser Permanente's strong commitment to labor to pursue their cynical bargaining tactics. Kaiser Permanente is growing and adding great jobs of all kinds. We're proud of the support we offer our employees," he told Becker's.
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