Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers Begin Strike Over Inequities

Kaiser Permanente Faces Strike as Mental Health Workers Demand Change

Glendale, Calif. – In a significant move toward addressing mental health care disparities, approximately 2,400 mental health professionals, including therapists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses, are initiating a strike against Kaiser Permanente. The strike is aimed at resolving ongoing issues within California's largest HMO, particularly in Southern California.

The striking workers are represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers and will be on the picket lines from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at key locations:

• Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC), 4867 W. Sunset Blvd.
• San Diego Medical Center, 9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

Workers will be available for interviews early Monday morning, with most arriving after 8 a.m. Media inquiries at LAMC can be directed to Maggie Sisco at 989-802–1261 or via email at msisco@nuhw.org.

Additional picket lines will be set up in Fontana and Anaheim, with some workers traveling to Los Angeles Medical Center to show solidarity. A full schedule of picket locations and times is available here.

Challenges in Southern California's Mental Health Care

Kaiser has faced scrutiny for its mental health services, including a historic $50 million fine in 2023 for violating mental health laws. Previous penalties include a $4 million fine in 2014 for denying timely access to care. Kaiser admitted to staffing shortages that have resulted in excessive wait times for therapy appointments.

Although a 10-week strike in Northern California led to improvements, such as increased patient care time and staffing, these changes have not been implemented in Southern California, leading to disparities in care.

Southern California, despite having 200,000 more members, is staffed with approximately 40% fewer mental health professionals than Northern California. This results in one therapist per 3,000 members in the south versus one per 2,000 in the north.

Kaiser struggles with retention, as evidenced by 25% of mental health professionals hired since January 2021 leaving their positions, many within the first year. Competitive pay and benefits in Northern California, including pensions, contribute to this issue.

Seeking Parity in Mental Health Services

The striking workers demand a contract that aligns Southern California's working conditions, pay, and benefits with those of their Northern California counterparts. Despite a state directive for "transformational change," Kaiser has rejected these proposals.

• Patient Care Time: Workers seek 7 hours weekly for non-appointment duties, a standard already met in Northern California, while Southern California offers only 4 hours.
• Fair Pay: The union calls for wage increases to match those of non-mental health workers at Kaiser, who earn up to 40% more.
• Restoration of Pensions: Mental health professionals hired after 2014 lack pension benefits, unlike most other Kaiser employees, leading to higher turnover.

Adriana Webb, a medical social worker, emphasizes, “Everything we’re proposing in negotiations, Kaiser is already providing to the vast majority of its workforce.”

Concerns Over Appointment Cancellations

In past strikes, Kaiser was found to have illegally canceled over 111,803 therapy appointments. State law mandates continuity of mental health care during strikes, requiring out-of-network arrangements if necessary.

In a recent letter, NUHW's Fred Seavey urged the California Department of Managed Health Care to monitor potential disruptions during the strike to safeguard patients' health and safety.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers represents 19,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawaii, including over 4,700 Kaiser mental health professionals.