Kaiser Mental Health Workers Poised to Strike Across SoCal

LOS ANGELES - Nearly 2,400 mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities are poised to strike beginning Monday amid contract talks and allegations of understaffing and inadequate working conditions. The decision, which was authorized by union members last week, is set to bring daily picket lines and rallies outside Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Background on the Strike

The strike announcement comes exactly one year after California’s top health regulator fined Kaiser a record $50 million for numerous mental health deficiencies, including understaffing its mental health services. This fine was the largest in state history for violating mental health parity laws.

The mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, addiction medicine counselors, licensed clinical counselors, and marriage and family therapists, provide behavioral health care for Kaiser’s 4.8 million members across Southern California from San Diego to Bakersfield. The union, National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), has been negotiating with Kaiser since late July, but their contract expired on September 30.

Worker Demands

The key demands of the striking workers include reducing employee turnover and improving patient care. They are seeking seven hours of guaranteed time per week to manage duties outside of client appointments, which they claim are essential for providing quality care. Additionally, the workers are demanding better pay and the restoration of pensions, which they believe are necessary for maintaining a stable workforce.

Impact on Patient Care

One of the primary concerns is the impact on patient care. Mental health workers claim that the current staffing levels force patients to wait too long for appointments, leading to delays in receiving necessary treatment. State investigators found that less than half of follow-up therapy appointments were completed within ten days of the prior appointment as required by state law in 2022.

Kaiser has acknowledged these issues, admitting that the lack of clinical staff results in excessive wait times for therapy appointments. However, despite this acknowledgment, Kaiser has not produced a state-approved corrective action plan, which was mandated as part of the settlement agreement following the $50 million fine. The union argues that Kaiser’s failure to implement these changes demonstrates a lack of commitment to improving its mental health system.

Kaiser’s Response

Kaiser Permanente has responded to the strike threat with a proposal aimed at addressing some of the workers' concerns. The proposal includes an 18% wage increase over four years, enhanced comprehensive benefits, and six hours a week for planning and preparation. However, the union argues that these offerings are insufficient, particularly given the significant staffing shortages in Southern California compared to Northern California.

Kaiser has also assured patients that it is prepared to continue providing mental health care during a strike. It claims to have a comprehensive plan in place to minimize disruptions, including the ability to arrange for out-of-network care if regular providers cannot see patients due to the strike.

History of Labor Disputes

This strike follows a similar labor dispute in Northern California two years ago, where mental health therapists struck for ten weeks, securing a four-year contract with more time for patient care duties and provisions forcing Kaiser to increase staffing and provide more services at mental health clinics. However, Kaiser has refused to extend these gains to Southern California, creating a two-tiered mental health system where patients in Northern California have better access to care and mental health workers have more time to meet their patients' needs.

Community Response

The looming strike has sparked concern among Kaiser Permanente members and the broader community. Many are advocating for their rights to receive ongoing care during a possible work stoppage. State law requires Kaiser to arrange for out-of-network care if a work stoppage leads to canceled appointments, but the process can be complex and time-consuming.

As the strike approaches, mental health professionals are working to prepare their patients for potential disruptions. They are encouraging patients to advocate for themselves in securing necessary care and to file complaints if they do not receive timely treatment.

Next Steps

The last scheduled day for negotiations between the union and Kaiser was Thursday of this week. If an agreement cannot be reached, mental health workers are prepared to go on strike on Monday. The strike could significantly impact patient care, but both sides are committed to finding a resolution. The outcome will depend on whether Kaiser is willing to address the workforce and staffing issues that have been central to the dispute.

In summary, the potential strike by nearly 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers in Southern California highlights the deep-seated issues within the healthcare system regarding staffing and working conditions. The strike serves as a call to action for Kaiser to address these concerns and provide better care for its patients and employees.

References:

• Nearly 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals to start open-ended strike Oct. 21. Retrieved from: https://home.nuhw.org/2024/10/11/nearly-2400-kaiser-permanente-mental-health-professionals-to-start-open-ended-strike-oct-21/
• Kaiser Permenente mental health workers plan open-ended strike. Retrieved from: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/kaiser-permenente-mental-health-workers-planning-open-ended-strike/3533985/
• Kaiser Permanente's Response to NUHW Strike Authorization. Retrieved from: https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/who-we-are/labor-relations/nuhw-bargaining/kaiser-permanentes-response-to-nuhw-strike-authorization
• Kaiser workers strike - LAist. Retrieved from: https://laist.com/brief/news/health/kaiser-mental-health-workers-strike