More than 21,000 mental health workers and nurses at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente and nurses from other unions are striking today, marking the second time in four months Kaiser nurses have protested takeaways in the proposed contract, according to a report by The Reporter.
The 24-hour strike is led by 4,000 members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers employed by Kaiser. Seventeen thousand registered nurses with the California Nurses Association and 650 members of the Stationary Engineers Local 39 are striking in sympathy.
Contract negotiations between NUHW and Kaiser have been stalled since July. The union is opposing cuts in the contract, but Kaiser denied claims that it proposed eliminating retirement benefits and said the contract includes wage increases.
Kaiser hospitals and medical offices in Northern California will remain open, according to the report.
21k Unionized Nurses in California to Strike in Protest of Reduced Benefits
Nurses, Management Reach Tentative Agreement at 2 NY Hospitals; Avoid Strikes
The 24-hour strike is led by 4,000 members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers employed by Kaiser. Seventeen thousand registered nurses with the California Nurses Association and 650 members of the Stationary Engineers Local 39 are striking in sympathy.
Contract negotiations between NUHW and Kaiser have been stalled since July. The union is opposing cuts in the contract, but Kaiser denied claims that it proposed eliminating retirement benefits and said the contract includes wage increases.
Kaiser hospitals and medical offices in Northern California will remain open, according to the report.
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Nurses, Management Reach Tentative Agreement at 2 NY Hospitals; Avoid Strikes