Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals in Southern California have voted to authorize a strike, union officials announced Thursday, October 3. The vote comes amid ongoing contract negotiations and issues over patient care.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) said its members, including psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, addiction medicine counselors, and marriage and family therapists, signed the strike authorization petition.
The affected area spans Kaiser Permaente facilities from San Diego to Bakersfield, including Pasadena. Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California regional headquarters are located in Pasadena.
Kaiser Permanente operates mental health treatment facilities seeing patients in East Pasadena at the The Pasadena Medical Offices, located at 3280 E Foothill Blvd.
Union leaders cite what they describe as “severe inequities in its behavioral healthcare system that are impacting patient care.” Key issues include alleged staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and pay disparities.
The union is demanding “equal time for patient care duties that can’t be done during appointments” and “fair pay,” claiming mental health professionals are “paid up to 40% less than non-mental health caregivers with less education and licensing requirements.” They are also calling for the “restoration of pensions for employees hired after 2014.”
Kaiser Permanente responded to the strike authorization in a statement, emphasizing that the authorization does not necessarily mean a strike will occur.
“It is important to understand that this announcement does not mean there will be a strike. In fact, a strike authorization is often used as a bargaining tactic designed to exert pressure,” Kaiser stated.
The healthcare provider highlighted its current offer, which includes “an 18% wage increase over four years,” “Enhanced Retiree Medical Plan,” and “Six hours a week of time for planning and preparation, with four of these hours protected.” Kaiser said that their wages “on average are already 18% above market.”
Kaiser also pointed to its recent investments in mental health services, stating, “We have invested more than $1 billion since 2020 to expand mental health capabilities in California — including more therapists, more resources, and shorter wait times — and we know there is more work to do.”
This development comes nearly a year after Kaiser was fined $50 million by the California Department of Managed Health Care for violating mental health parity laws.
No formal strike notice has been submitted, and contract negotiations are ongoing. Kaiser expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, stating, “With four more bargaining dates on the calendar, including tomorrow (Oct. 4), we are confident we can reach an agreement without unnecessary disruption to patient care.”
If a strike does occur, it could lead to delayed intake appointments for people with urgent mental health needs, disruptions in care for current patients, and potential transfers to providers outside of Kaiser Permanente.