National settlement reached, but Washington Kaiser workers still want to strike

Kaiser Permanente health care workers in Washington have voted 99 percent in favor to authorize a strike on Nov. 1 over what they say are unfair labor practices unless they reach a negotiated contract with Kaiser by midnight on Oct. 31.

Service Employees International Healthcare 1199NW represents about 3,000 health care workers at 36 Kaiser Permanente facilities across Washington.

Earlier Friday morning, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, of which SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a member, reached a tentative deal with Kaiser Permanente. However, Kaiser Permanente Washington health care workers are negotiating a separate contract to address what they say are staffing shortages, and more significant wage increases.

“We’re proud of the agreement we’ve reached nationally, but Kaiser Permanente Washington health care workers are still fighting for a contract that protects Washington workers and patients,” said Jane Hopkins, registered nurse and president of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW in a press release.

“The staffing crisis in Washington means Kaiser needs to do more here than a phased-in wage increase,” Hopkins said in the statement. “We need to catch up and keep up. We are calling on Kaiser executives to reach a new contract with our 3,000 members that urgently addresses the issues we’re facing in Washington in time to avert a strike.”

Health care workers from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW have been in negotiations with Kaiser since June, the union said.