QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT GOING ON STRIKE AT KAISER PERMANENTE
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Despite the fact that we have been the backbone of Kaiser and risked our lives to care for our patients; Kaiser Permanente Executives are claiming we are over-paid, they continue to not respond to our proposals for wage increases that show the value of our
work and keep up with the cost of living and they want to cuts to our jobs and benefits.It is becoming increasingly clear that going on strike may be the only way to address Kaiser management’s unfair labor practices and win a strong contract that protects us, staffs us and pays us!
Our bargaining team is recommending that members VOTE YES to authorize up to a 2-week strike and prepare for this very real possibility.
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A strike is usually a last resort after an employer has refused efforts to resolve issues and treat workers fairly.
It would mean we give Kaiser management a 10-day notice of when we are planning to go on strike and then not go to work during the period of our strike. We withhold our valuable labor to protest against unfair treatment by our employer.
By taking collective action, we would take a powerful stand for respect. We would strike with the other unions in our Coalition including over 60,000 SEIU members in California and Colorado as well as pharmacy and x-ray members of UFCW 555 here in the NW.
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We would strike to protest Kaiser’s unfair labor practices, to improve our families’ standard of living, adequate staffing, for our retirement, affordable healthcare, education funds and job security.
We would strike to protect our patients from understaffing, impersonal automated care, and to make sure we invest in the next
generation of healthcare workers. -
Our contract expires September 30, 2023, and we announced our strike will start 6am on October 4, with return to work 6am on October 7.
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Our strike notice is for all SEIU 49 members to strike (not work) starting 6am on Wednesday, October 4 and returning to work at 6am on Saturday, October 7. This includes all remote and work from home members.
We are striking to send a strong message to Kaiser Executives to bargain in good faith and solve the staffing crisis that is exacerbated by low pay. We want our patients and community to see us out on our strike lines in big numbers to show how serious this is. We have decided to have 5 main locations for our picket lines, rallies, and activities; those are Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, Kaiser Westside Medical Center, Kaiser Interstate Campus, North Lancaster in Salem, and Kaiser Cascade Park for SW Washington. We are encouraging members to come out to one of these locations every day of the strike.
What if I want to picket at my worksite, and it’s not listed?
In order to ensure we have a solid and safe plan for this, we want to make sure there are trained strike captains for your worksite. We are holding strike captain trainings on Saturday September 30th from 9am-2pm at our Union Hall (3536 SE 26th Ave) if you or another co-worker want to attend.
Strike Captain Training: signup here -
No additional bargaining dates are currently scheduled, but that could change.
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The concern for patient care is shared by everyone; that’s why we’ve been trying to bargain provisions in our contract that improve staffing and quality care.
It’s disappointing that Kaiser management is putting us in position where we have to make the decision about striking.
We will give Kaiser management a ten-day notice before our strike. It is then Kaiser’s responsibility to make a plan to provide care.
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Join our picket line and rallies outside the hospitals and clinics. It’s a family friendly event—you are welcome to bring your friends & family.
We’ll have food and snacks, music and a lot of support from union and community members.
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YES! As long as you are not interrupting your work or doing so in front of patients, you can discuss our union, negotiations, and our union activities with your coworkers.
In other words, if you can talk about non-work related matters (i.e. your weekend plans or your cousin’s wedding, etc.) you can talk about our union.
In addition, you can also talk about these issues on break, at lunch and before or after work.
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Winning will take the unity of all of us to show our community and management we are united, determined to be treated fairly, and will not back down. Our strike is a lot more impactful if we all show up.
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Our strike is stronger the more people who show up. If you are able to, plan to come and picket even if it is your day off.
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No. Sick days and vacation days cannot be used during a strike.
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Yes, our Union Executive Board has saved money in a strike fund and it will be used to support our members in a lot of ways during the strike. Strike funds will be used to provide supplies, materials, and snacks as well as run the activities required to make the strike successful.
Will the strike fund pay us during the strike?
Going on strike is a big sacrifice so we can have a better contract and future for all of us. We have been encouraging members to prepare financially for the strike for months because we knew it was a possibility and that going without pay is something none of us take lightly. While on strike, workers do not get paid and are not eligible for unemployment.
Our Union does not have the billions of dollars Kaiser does, but we do have limited hardship funds for members in serious need. To qualify, members need to strike, show up and picket, and apply for hardship funds at a main strike location (one of the places listed on the sign up page). The amount of money available will depend on the number of members who apply so cannot be calculated in advance. There are multiple resources listed on strike resource page to get other ideas.
Members voted overwhelmingly to strike, because we know we cannot afford to keep moving backwards.
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Yes. Probationary and on-call employees have the same right as everyone else to strike.
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No, Kaiser cannot terminate our health benefits for a strike of up to two weeks.
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NO. An unfair labor practice strike is a protected union activity under the National Labor Relations Act. It is illegal for an employer to threaten or even imply an employee will be disciplined or permanently replaced as a result of striking.
Please report any abuse by management immediately to a bargaining team member or SEIU 49 organizer. -
NO. Kaiser will be given notification ten days in advance. Your supervisor might ask you if you are going on strike. If they do, your bargaining team recommends that you answer “YES.”
It is unlawful for management to question you about the strike without making assurances that there will be no action taken against you for doing so.
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We hope to see incredible solidarity from other union members and co-workers during our strike. We picketed alongside Alliance members during their negotiations. We know the better one group of us does, the better we all do.
We expect non-SEIU employees will respect our scope of practice and defined job duties, not pick up extra shifts or overtime, or do our work.
Co-workers can support by showing up to a picket on their own time and bringing us food. All workers — on strike or not — have the right to engage in union activity.
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We can’t afford not to. A strike is a sacrifice. That is part of its power. It shows Kaiser and the community that we care enough about our futures and our patients to make a real sacrifice. If we don’t make a short-term sacrifice, we will pay much more in long-term costs in future bonuses lost, raises that don’t keep up with the cost of living, and possibly even our jobs if Kaiser has the right to subcontract our work. Kaiser is raking in profits, paying their executives millions and giving bonuses to managers while denying them to those who provided the care on the front lines during the pandemic. They are disrespecting each and every one of us and we must take a stand.
Our Union Executive Board has saved money in a strike fund and it will be used to support our members in a lot of ways during the strike. Strike funds will be used to provide supplies, and materials as well as run the activities required to make the strike successful.
Will the strike fund pay us during the strike?
Going on strike is a big sacrifice so we can have a better contract and future for all of us. We have been encouraging members to prepare financially for the strike for months because we knew it was a possibility and that going without pay is something none of us take lightly. While on strike, workers do not get paid and are not eligible for unemployment.
Our Union does not have the billions of dollars Kaiser does, but we do have limited hardship funds for members in serious need. To qualify, members need to strike, show up and picket, and apply for hardship funds at a main strike location (one of the places listed on the sign up page). The amount of money available will depend on the number of members who apply so cannot be calculated in advance. There are multiple resources listed on strike resource page to get other ideas.
Members voted overwhelmingly to strike, because we know we cannot afford to keep moving backwards.
Click here to check out the resource list from the Sunnyside Steward Council for ideas on how to address your budget during the strike.
