Kaiser Pharmacist Strike In NorCal Averted

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente will remain on the job this week after unions reached a tentative agreement with the health care giant on Saturday, officials announced. But pharmacists in Northern California were not part of the deal reached Saturday.

However, they did reach a deal at the last minute.

"We are very pleased to announce that at about 1 a.m. this morning, Kaiser Permanente and the Guild for Professional Pharmacists reached a tentative agreement for a new 3-year contract for pharmacists in our Northern California region," read a news release Kaiser officials issued shortly after 4 a.m. Monday.

Although details of the agreement were not disclosed, the news release reported that the new contract includes wage increases, no reductions in health benefits, maintaining retirement benefits and an increase in bonus opportunities.

Union officials cancelled the strike that was expected to begin Monday, according to the news release.

The health care giant and the Alliance of Health Care Unions agreed on a four-year contract covering nearly 50,000 health care employees in 22 local unions on Saturday, according to union spokesman Jeff Rogers.

"This contract protects our patients, provides safe staffing, and guarantees fair wages and benefits for every Alliance member," said Hal Ruddick, executive director of the alliance.

Monday's strike involving Kaiser health care workers was set to become one of the largest in Golden State history and would have affected 366 hospitals in the Southland, with potentially 21,000 registered nurses, therapists and more set to walk off the job in Southern California alone. Some 7,400 members of United Steelworkers were planning to join picketers in the Southland as well.

Health care workers were set to hit picket lines Monday to fight a proposed two-tier wage system and dire staffing shortages spurred by the pandemic. Last month, nearly one-third of all Golden State hospitals reported critical staffing shortages, CalMatters reported.

Kaiser backed down from the two-tier pay system that would have paid those hired after 2023 less than current employees and offered fewer health protections.
Here's what was included in the tentative agreement Saturday:

• Guaranteed across-the-board wage increases each year through 2025.
• No reductions to family medical and dental coverage.
• Maintaining generous retirement income benefits and employer- subsidized retiree medical.
• Introduction of the Alliance Bonus Plan, which provides annual payouts for achieving new mutually agreed-upon objectives to address affordability.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

READ MORE: CA Kaiser Strike Averted After Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.