Kaiser mental health workers strike for change

Nearly 2,400 mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California have initiated a strike after management rejected union proposals aimed at reducing employee turnover and enhancing care. San Diego psychologist Josh Garcia stated: “Unless we strike, our coworkers are going to keep leaving,” highlighting the ongoing issues within the mental health system. Kaiser claims to have made strong proposals to improve wages and benefits, but union leaders argue that problems persist, with 62% of surveyed workers indicating insufficient staffing. The strike follows a $200m settlement with California regulators over excessive wait times for therapy appointments. Union members are advocating for higher wages, better benefits, and more time for non-patient duties, while Kaiser asserts that its compensation is already above market rates. The strike’s duration remains undefined, but Kaiser has plans to minimize disruptions for patients.