In an unprecedented move, nearly 2,400 mental health workers affiliated with Kaiser Permanente across Southern California launched a strike on Monday morning. This action comes in response to management's refusal to accept proposals aimed at reducing employee turnover and enhancing patient care. Union leaders are emphasizing the urgent need for reforms in a system they argue is failing both the workers and the patients who rely on them.
The strike highlights ongoing concerns about understaffing and inadequate mental health support within Kaiser. As mental health issues continue to rise across the nation, many professionals feel overwhelmed and unsupported in their roles. This situation demands immediate attention and action from management to address the growing mental health crisis.
Workers clad in red T-shirts rallied along Sunset Boulevard in front of Kaiser’s Los Angeles Medical Center, demonstrating their solidarity and determination. As they clanged cowbells and chanted slogans to the tune of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” they expressed their frustration with the current state of mental health care at Kaiser.
- Nearly 2,400 Kaiser mental health workers launch a strike after management rejected proposals that union workers said would stanch employee turnover and improve care.
- Kaiser said it had made strong proposals to improve wages, benefits and preparation time for therapists.
- The strike comes one year after Kaiser agreed to a $200-million settlement with California regulators over its handling of mental health care.
Psychologists, therapists and other mental health professionals who work for Kaiser Permanente across Southern California went on strike Monday morning, protesting that the healthcare organization had failed to address enduring problems that hamper its mental health care.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers said that nearly 2,400 mental health workers had launched their job action after Kaiser management had turned down proposals that the union said would stanch employee turnover and improve care. The NUHW contract for the workers expired Sept. 30.
Union members clad in red T-shirts picketed along Sunset Boulevard outside Kaiser’s Los Angeles Medical Center on Monday morning, clanging cowbells and cheering to Twisted Sister
