We had one of the biggest turnouts for bargaining today in recent memory. More than 50 of us participated in contract negotiations to show that we’re united and determined to win a fair contract that benefits us and Kaiser patients.
Kaiser had requested today’s session, but offered only an extra 25 cents for preceptor pay and bilingual pay. A full bargaining update is coming soon. No additional bargaining dates have been scheduled, but we remain ready to resume negotiations when Kaiser gets serious about reaching an agreement. The best way to amp up the pressure is to keep coming out to the picket lines. While more than four dozen of us were at the bargaining table, we maintained energetic lines in Riverside, San Diego, Panorama City, and Los Angeles.
Matthew Gilford spoke from the picket line about understaffing and high turnover. Norma Quiroz talked about needing more time to prepare and care for patients. See photos from Panorama City and Riverside below.
Next week our pickets will start at 8 a.m., rather than 6 a.m. It’s important to get everyone out to the picket lines to show Kaiser that our momentum continues in Week 2! If you take photos on the line, email them to us at photos@nuhw.org. For information on Hardship Funds, see our campaign resources page.
First complaint filed against Kaiser
We’re learning more from patients about Kaiser violating state mental health law during the strike, and today we filed our first complaint with the Department of Managed Health Care since the start of the strike. The complaint documents two cases in which Kaiser canceled individual psychotherapy appointments of high-needs patients. Kaiser also failed to notify the patients of the cancellations or create plans to ensure appropriate treatment.
If you are informed about any unethical or potentially illegal denials of care by Kaiser during the strike, let our research staff know by emailing research@nuhw.org.
See the gallery of photos below, and see more photos and videos on NUHW’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
