California Social Workers Support Kaiser Mental Health Strike Efforts
Glendale, Calif. – As the strike by Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals progresses into its third day in Southern California, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in California has voiced strong support for the strikers, urging Kaiser to address pivotal concerns.
Kimberly Warmsley, Executive Director of NASW's California chapter, emphasized in a statement issued on Tuesday the necessity of fair working conditions and appropriate compensation for mental health professionals. Warmsley stated:
“The time is now to ensure realistic working conditions and provide equitable pay and recognition for professionals who deliver essential services. Social workers and therapists were on the frontlines during the pandemic; we are trusted partners and advocates for our communities. Kaiser must exemplify the commitment to providing resources, support, and fair compensation for dedicated social workers who strive to protect vulnerable populations.”
The statement further praised the commitment of Kaiser social workers in Southern California for confronting a flawed mental health system that causes substantial waits for therapy appointments, contravening state regulations.
Wednesday, Oct. 23 Picket Line Details
Mental health professionals, members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, will participate in picketing activities from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at these locations:
- San Diego Medical Center, 9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego
- Fontana Medical Center, 9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana
- Lancaster Medical Offices, 43112 15th St. West, Lancaster
- Downey Medical Center, 9333 Imperial Highway, Downey
A rally featuring community and elected leaders will occur during the lunch hour at each strike site. For more details on picket line locations and timings for the first two weeks of the strike, click here. Additional information on the strike is available here.
Support from professional organizations remains strong as Kaiser mental health professionals continue their efforts to ensure that behavioral health is prioritized equally with other healthcare services. The American Psychological Association highlighted concerns about Kaiser’s lengthy wait times to California regulators four years ago, describing them as the worst the organization had encountered.
Elizabeth White, a psychiatric social worker with Kaiser in Los Angeles, expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by her professional organization: “As a social worker, it means a lot to know that my professional organization stands with me and my colleagues in our struggle to make Kaiser achieve parity for behavioral health care.” White further noted that the strike is an effort to ensure Kaiser recognizes the contributions of its mental health professionals, allowing them to adequately serve their patients.
Contract Negotiation Updates
Contract negotiations are set to resume on Wednesday, marking the first meeting since the strike's commencement. A follow-up session is planned for Friday. The primary point of contention remains the allocation of sufficient time for mental health professionals to fulfill all patient care duties beyond scheduled appointments.
In a previous resolution to a strike in Northern California two years ago, Kaiser management agreed to allocate 7 hours weekly for full-time mental health therapists to attend to tasks such as responding to patient communications and preparing treatment plans. In contrast, Kaiser’s current offer for Southern California guarantees only 4 hours, which many argue is insufficient for comprehensive patient care.
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The National Union of Healthcare Workers represents 19,000 healthcare professionals in California and Hawaii, including over 4,700 Kaiser mental health workers.
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