Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Workers Prepare for Possible Strike

Kaiser Permanente could soon be facing another strike, as the company’s pharmacy workers across Southern California participated in picket captain training and picket sign-making sessions Saturday.

With negotiations stalled since April, the members of UFCW Local 770 authorized a strike last week. The union’s contract expires Nov. 1.

Workers describe what are seeking as:

• ‘Safe patient care’ and staffing levels to secure patients’ safety;
• A collaborative process in patient scheduling to ensure providers have the time needed to deliver quality care;
• Competitive wages that reflect workers’ skills and dedication;
• Alignment of all Kaiser contracts to expire at the end of October, along with the rest of the Alliance of Healthcare Unions.

Kaiser representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

Last week, more than 30,000 unionized Kaiser nurses and other health professionals returned to their jobs after a five-day strike in California, Oregon and Hawaii.

Representatives for those workers resumed bargaining with the company.