Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers in Southern California Strike Over Staffing and Workloads

Over 2,400 mental health workers employed by Kaiser Permanente in Southern California began an open-ended strike on Monday, October 21st. The strike, organized by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), focuses on increased workloads and staffing shortages that have significantly impacted patient care. Workers, including psychologists, therapists, and social workers, are picketing outside facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, and Fontana, demanding better working conditions and increased staffing to meet patient needs.

The union argues that the current system is overburdened, leading to staff burnout and high turnover rates. Union members are requesting increased staffing and wage improvements similar to those achieved during a 10-week strike by Northern California workers in 2022. Josh Garcia, a Kaiser psychologist in San Diego, stated that without striking, “our patients are going to keep struggling in an underfunded, understaffed system that doesn’t meet their needs.”

Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare providers in the United States, has acknowledged the strike but criticized the union for “slow-walking negotiations” and making “unreasonable” demands. The company emphasized that it has made strong proposals and remains committed to negotiating. A Kaiser spokesperson said the network would continue to offer mental health services during the strike, ensuring that patients can be seen by another qualified therapist if necessary.

The strike highlights the growing challenges in the mental health field, where the demand for services has outpaced the supply of qualified professionals. A recent survey found that nine out of ten adults in the U.S. believe the country is facing a mental health crisis, underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues within healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente.

This is the second major strike by Kaiser mental health workers in two years. In 2022, Northern California workers secured higher wages, better working conditions, and additional staffing. Now, Southern California employees are demanding similar improvements, with some workers expressing frustration that the gains achieved in the north have not been implemented statewide.

Kaiser Permanente is working to notify patients whose appointments may be affected by the strike. The healthcare provider reiterated its commitment to resolving the dispute and providing necessary mental health care for its members despite the ongoing labor action.