Eight workers began a 5-day hunger strike today outside Kaiser’s Los Angeles Medical Center. Local clergy performed a ceremony to begin the action. Pastor Jennifer Gutierrez talked about her children’s struggle to access mental health care at Kaiser and thanked the hunger strikers — and other striking mental health professionals — for “all that you’re doing for the community.”
The hunger strikers were joined throughout the day by fellow Kaiser workers, Kaiser patients, Los Angeles Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez — and labor movement icon Dolores Huerta.
Addressing the workers, Huerta said “I am so proud to be standing here with all of you today. I want to thank you for being so strong, for being so brave, for carrying on this strike as long as you have, and not giving up.”
News outlets covering the action included CalMatters, Spectrum-TV and Telemundo.
You can RSVP here to visit hunger strikers outside LAMC, 4867 Sunset Boulevard. They will maintain a public presence outside the hospital from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.
Bargaining resumes
At the request of the mediators, the April 17 bargaining session has been moved to April 16, so the three newly scheduled bargaining states will be Tuesday, April 15; Wednesday, April 16; and Tuesday, April 22.
Upcoming actions
We’re picketing the Health Evolution Summit in Orange County, where Kaiser CEO Greg Adams is scheduled to give an address. The protest will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9. RSVP here.
Picket line sign-ups
Use our picket shift sign-up form to sign up for picket line shifts this week.
Picket line photos
See the gallery of photos below, and see more on NUHW’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
