Statement From Kaiser Permanente On 24-Hour Strike
The following is a statement issued of Kaiser Permanente’s website on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.
Our facilities in Southern California are open
The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), which represents approximately 2,500 of 55,000 employees working at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Southern California, informed us it will conduct a limited, 1-day work stoppage and picketing beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31 and ending at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1. Our first priority is the safety and care of our members and patients
We?ve taken steps to ensure you will continue to receive high-quality care and service from a team of experienced doctors and other clinicians. Kaiser Permanente medical centers and medical offices will remain open during the work stoppage, including our hospitals, Emergency departments, urgent care departments, primary and specialty care departments, pharmacies, and laboratories.
While some appointments and elective procedures may have to be rescheduled, we don?t anticipate these labor actions will have a significant impact on our ability to meet your care and service.
The work-stoppage and picketing activities by NUHW will primarily impact our Los Angeles Medical Center hospital, where the American Federation of Nurses, who work exclusively at that location, will be joined by employees of the Psych-Social Workers Chapter and Health Care Professionals unit to engage in the January 31 activity.
Additionally, the psych-social workers and health care professionals who work elsewhere throughout Southern California will conduct a work stoppage, but picket only at our Downey, Fontana, San Diego, and Woodland Hills medical center locations.
Psych-social workers include social workers, counselors, therapists, and case managers. Health care professionals include dietitians, audiologists, speech therapists, and health educators.
We?re in contract negotiations with NUHW and we continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement soon. While we recognize NUHW?s legal right to conduct a work stoppage, we believe the best place to resolve differences and achieve an agreement is back at the bargaining table.
If you have any questions, contact our Member Service Call Center at 1-800-464-4000 (toll free) or 1-800-777-1370 (toll-free TTY for the hearing/speech impaired), weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also visit the Member Services Department at any of our facilities and a team member can help you.
We sincerely thank you for your understanding as our discussions continue.
Kaiser Permanente, 2012
