Kaiser Strike to Spur Demonstrations, Possibly Disrupt Pasadena Medical Services

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers are set to strike beginning Tuesday, Oct. 14, in a labor action expected to affect Pasadena’s regional headquarters and medical offices, along with hundreds of facilities across California, Hawaii and Oregon, in one of the largest healthcare work stoppages in U.S. history.

The five-day walkout, organized by the Alliance of Health Care Unions and led by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), could involve more than 31,000 nurses and health professionals. Up to 46,000 employees are eligible to participate.

The strike is scheduled to conclude at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19.

Pasadena’s Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices at 3280 E. Foothill Blvd. and the regional headquarters at 393 E. Walnut St. are expected to be impacted.

Striking workers are likely to picket at both locations daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though specific Pasadena demonstration sites had not been confirmed in public union bulletins as of Monday.

Past strikes have included large gatherings at the Walnut Street headquarters. Union leaders have encouraged members to join picket lines during breaks or outside scheduled shifts and are seeking community support.

The strike stems from unresolved contract negotiations. Union leaders allege unsafe staffing levels, stagnant wages, excessive workloads, and limited input on patient care decisions. In a statement, UNAC/UHCP said chronic understaffing has led to burnout and longer wait times, threatening care quality.

Patients in Pasadena may experience delays or rescheduling of non-urgent appointments and elective procedures. Some pharmacies may reduce hours or temporarily close, though refills and new prescriptions should remain available via mail order or alternate open locations.

The health care provider said it has contingency plans in place to maintain care during the strike, including keeping hospitals and medical offices open, shifting some appointments to virtual care, and onboarding up to 7,600 temporary nurses and clinicians—many of whom have previously worked at Kaiser Permanente. More than 1,000 current employees have volunteered to be reassigned to strike-affected locations, it said.

At the center of the dispute is a disagreement over wages. Kaiser Permanente said its latest offer includes a 21.5% wage increase over four years, enhancing already above-market compensation for Alliance-represented employees, who currently earn 16% more than peers elsewhere. The proposal also includes improvements to medical and retiree benefits.

Kaiser officials said emergency and essential care will continue uninterrupted, with contingency staffing plans in place. Patients are asked not to cancel appointments on their own and to await direct communication from Kaiser.

This marks the largest-ever UNAC/UHCP strike at Kaiser and reflects broader labor unrest in the health care sector in 2025. Union representatives described the action as a last resort after months of failed negotiations, asserting it is necessary to safeguard patient care and worker protections.

Pasadena residents are advised to monitor Kaiser communications for appointment updates and union announcements for demonstration details. If unresolved, the strike could reshape local healthcare delivery and labor conditions in Pasadena for years to come.