Kaiser Presents Objectionable Proposals, Union Prepares for Strike Action

During yesterday's negotiations, Kaiser put forth two proposals, yet only one of them addressed multiple elements simultaneously. This all-or-nothing proposal included three key points:

1. Annual wage increases of 5% in the first year and 4% in the subsequent years, which is still 1% less per year than what the coalition unions received last year.
2. No changes to retirement plans, maintaining the current status without restoring the pension or improving retirement benefits.
3. Full-time therapists in the psychiatry department would be required to see patients for 34 hours per week, with 6 hours reserved for administrative tasks and patient care duties. However, for every no-show, an hour of this reserved time could be removed, which, with an average no-show rate of 18%, could eliminate all six hours.

Accepting one part of this proposal would necessitate accepting the other two, making the entire proposition contentious. Concurrently, KP management proposed extending the contract for a month, to which we responded that we might consider if they present something substantial by next Monday. We reminded them that legally, the contract remains effective unless extended, allowing us to strike once it expires.

The second proposal from management was a slight amendment to a previous offer, which would still enable them to increase the number of per diem associates in psychiatry and addiction medicine.

In response, we provided a comprehensive proposal addressing all outstanding non-economic issues, revising eight of our proposals:

• Union Staff Representatives, Shop Stewards, and Bargaining Committee
• Subcontracting
• Professional Hours and Individual Schedule Changes
• Flexible and Hybrid Schedules
• Staffing Committees
• Workload Distribution and Patient Management Time
• New Technology
• Preceptors

We plan to offer a similar comprehensive proposal on economic issues once the key non-economic issues are resolved.

Additionally, we submitted revised proposals on incentive plan metrics for Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Social Medicine, and Home Care Services.

Despite nearly 80% of our bargaining unit signing the open-ended strike authorization, Kaiser leaders appear unconvinced of our readiness to strike. A ten-day notice of intent to strike may be necessary if significant progress isn't made soon.

Additional Bargaining Dates

In addition to the previously scheduled session on September 30, two more sessions are confirmed for October 1 and October 4. We have also proposed three more dates, October 6, 7, and 10, and are waiting for employer confirmation. Those interested in attending in-person bargaining sessions in Glendale can sign up here.

Next Steps

We are preparing to compare our proposals with Kaiser’s side by side, expected to be ready within the next couple of days. A Town Hall meeting is also being scheduled for October 13th, with details forthcoming.

With only six days left to sign the strike authorization petition, now is the time to do so using your unique ID. For any questions about the strike authorization petition, please contact us or your shop stewards.