Kaiser Mental Health Workers Strike for Better Pay

Over 2,400 mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California are on strike, demanding better pay, restoration of pensions, and more time for patient-related tasks outside therapy sessions. The strike, led by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, highlights concerns about staffing shortages and increased workloads that workers say lead to burnout and a substandard level of care. Kaiser Permanente has countered by offering an 18% raise over four years and six hours weekly for planning, claiming the union's demands are excessive and contribute to unnecessary disruption. The union argues that the current therapist-to-patient ratio in Southern California is unsustainable, resulting in high turnover rates among staff. Despite Kaiser’s investment in expanding mental health services, the union maintains that the system remains broken and inequitable. Ongoing negotiations have seen little progress, with both sides accusing each other of not negotiating in good faith.