The strike follows months of stalled negotiations, and the union accuses Kaiser of not bargaining in good faith, including a history of intermittent talks and a temporary cutoff of negotiations.

UNAC/UHCP represents a broad mix of health professionals, including registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech-language pathologists, and dietitians.

Kaiser describes its offer as the strongest national wage proposal in decades, while emphasizing ongoing local negotiations and continued commitment to patient care.

Analysts note a history of bargaining tactics that could influence the strike’s trajectory, including stalled talks and sporadic participation by Kaiser and the potential long-term impact on patient care if the impasse persists.

The strike pattern involves a large-scale, open-ended action across California and Hawaii, with pickets at major facilities including Oakland, Roseville, and Santa Clara Medical Centers, signaling a broad disruption.

Negotiations continued over the weekend prior to the strike, indicating ongoing but stalled talks between Kaiser and the union.

A coordinated strike by more than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers in California and Hawaii is underway, aiming to press management to reach a new contract amid protest over staffing shortages, unsafe conditions, and perceived unfair labor practices.

Union negotiators say chronic staffing shortages and pay gaps are core issues, while Kaiser contends wage demands are excessive given economic realities, with wage talks centered on a proposed 21.5% raise over four years versus the union seeking about 25%.

Picket locations span Orange and Los Angeles counties at facilities such as Anaheim, Downey, South Bay, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Baldwin Park, Panorama City, and Woodland Hills Medical Centers, with broader outreach to other regions.

A new 84-page union report argues Kaiser has $67 billion in reserves and substantial profits in 2024 and the first three quarters of 2025, suggesting funds could address staffing and compensation needs.

Kaiser has prepared contingency plans to keep facilities open, including hospitals and emergency rooms, to ensure patient access during the strike.

The broader context includes Kaiser’s organizational structure as not-for-profit for health plans and hospitals, but for-profit for Permanente Medical Groups, complicating financial and staffing discussions.