Kaiser Mental Health Workers Continue Strike, File New Complaint

December 7, 2024 December 7, 2024

Editorial Staff

San Diego and Orange County See Active Participation in Kaiser Strike

In a week marked by significant developments, workers in San Diego played a pivotal role at the Labor Council's holiday event this past Wednesday. During the gathering, they highlighted the ongoing strike, successfully garnering support through a petition signed by many attendees.

Efforts to raise awareness continued on Thursday as strikers distributed leaflets outside various clinics. At the Bostonia clinic, they engaged in meaningful conversations with patients. Despite a false claim by a Kaiser HR representative regarding the legality of their actions, the workers persisted in their efforts.

Surprises for Kaiser Managers in Orange County

In Orange County, mental health managers attending a lunch event at Hotel Zessa were met with an unexpected sight. Strikers learned of the gathering and made their presence known, as depicted in the accompanying photos.

Breaking Barriers in Downey and Fontana

Tuesday marked a breakthrough for strikers in Downey, as they successfully dismantled orange barricades that had previously restricted their access to the medical center entrance. By Thursday, Kaiser removed these barriers entirely. In Fontana, the striking workers added a creative twist by designing and breaking through a "brick" wall.

New Complaint Highlights Delays

On Thursday, a new complaint was filed with the California Department of Managed Health Care. This complaint details a patient's 52-day wait for a psychiatric evaluation following a therapist's referral, pointing to potential violations of state laws. Kaiser has been accused of redirecting high-acuity patients to Rula, leading to extended delays. This is not the first time Kaiser has faced such allegations, as reported by the LA Times in April.

Media Coverage and Patient Voices

KPBS in San Diego has been covering the challenges patients face amid the strike, with stories available online, on radio, and on television. Christina Jones, a participant in an outpatient program, shared her experience: “When they left, the type of care that we received after it was so subpar and raggedy.” She further expressed frustration with the system, noting, “I let the person know I was having an emergency, and they told me, ‘You don’t sound like you are.’ So it’s this whole performance and telling your story to stranger after stranger in this system that says that it cares.”

Upcoming Events and Support Initiatives

Participants are encouraged to check their emails for the Zoom link to Sunday's Town Hall meeting at 10 a.m., which will include updates on the strike and a Q&A session. Additionally, a holiday gift and food distribution event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Pasadena. Attendees can RSVP now for this event, which will feature speeches from allies and patients.

Financial Support and Donations

Donations continue to bolster the hardship fund, with UFCW, Local 770 contributing $5,000 this week. For those interested in applying for funds, applications are due by Friday at 11:59 p.m., with disbursements scheduled for the following Friday. Details on the rules and application form are available online. The community is urged to share the donation links to ensure sufficient funds for future disbursements.