Thousands of mental health clinicians with Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente are planning to strike, according to the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
The statewide, weeklong strike, which involves 2,600 California psychologists, therapists, and social workers represented by the NUHW, is slated to begin Jan. 12.
The workers claim Kaiser has not provided members with mental health services that are good and timely, and specifically, that Kaiser does not adequately staff its psychiatric departments, according to a news release.
"In December, clinicians presented Kaiser with a commonsense solution: clinician–management committees in each facility that can determine adequate staffing levels and outsourcing needs…But once again, Kaiser failed to act, triggering this statewide strike," the release reads.
Gay Westfall, a Kaiser vice president of human resources in Northern California, issued a statement, in which he expressed disappointment about the planned strike.
"We respect and value our therapists and optical workers and recognize their dedication to making a difference in the lives of our members and patients," Mr. Westfall said in the statement.
However, "in Northern California, we just returned to the bargaining table earlier this month after a six-month hiatus. It is troubling that following just one bargaining session — and before we have even have had the chance to meet again — the union has announced a weeklong strike," he added.
A meeting between the two sides is scheduled for Tuesday, according to a report by The Press Democrat.
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