CNN —More than 2,000 unionized mental health workers in Southern California went on strike against Kaiser Permanente on Monday after the two sides failed to reach a new labor agreement.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) — which represents 19,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawaii, including 4,700 mental health workers — picketed outside Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim and Fontana, seeking an increase in salaries, restoration of pensions and increased staffing.
Union members on strike in Southern California have said their demands are line in with what Kaiser has provided to the majority of its workforce.
Kaiser, one of the nation’s largest non-profit healthcare providers, is required by law to provide mental health services to its members even with the workers on strike.
A survey in 2022 from CNN in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that nine out of 10 US adults believe the country has a mental health crisis.
Persons:
Kaiser, ” Josh Garcia, —
Organizations:
CNN, Kaiser Permanente, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Fontana, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kaiser Family Foundation
Locations:
Southern California, California, Hawaii, Kaiser, Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, Northern California